Chasma are an Oregon-based act, formed in 2008 in Portland, and named after an astro-geological term that refers to something like ‘a deep, elongated, steep-sided depression’. It was meant to be a side-project by the members, besides their main activities in Nanda Devi (defunct in mean time). After some demonstrational releases via Aural Offerings, the band joined the mighty Moribund-roster with a two-album deal. Via this cult-label, Chasma released the truly fabulous Declarations Of The Grand Artificer-album on November 22nd 2011 (review still available in the Archive-tab; see update February 11th 2012), and on January 29th 2013 the successor came out, called Codex Constellatia. In mean time Chasma signed to major Candlelight, and the digitally released Omega Theorian is now a fact. The review on this new piece will be executed in a near future, I think (though we haven’t received this material yet).
Anyway, this review deals with the second Chasma full length, Codex Constellatia, which has recently been re-released via The Path Less Traveled Records on black vinyl (12”). It will be made available in a limited edition of 250 copies only, and there will be no re-pressing. Don’t come crying when it’s sold out, don’t forget I warned you, all right?!
The album was recorded by former Nanda Devi-members Aaron Schomaker (d, v) and Ryan Whyte (b, v), and guitar player Brandon Gordon. It consists of five tracks, having a total running time of forty four minutes. Codex Constellatia gets described as ‘Cascadian’ Black Metal, which has to do with the members’ origins only of course, but it might be too narrow-minded to do so. Once again, this sh*t combines elements from Post-Black, Drone, Sludge, Atmospheric Black Metal, Post-Rock, Shoegaze and Depressive / Suicidal Black Metal. And every track sweetly interferes in between all these influences. It gets translated in a wide spectrum on tempos, melodies, atmospheres and emotions throughout the whole album, but it does not confuse at all, despite the diverse approaches. No, this band knows how to create a constant, a cohesion based on all those aural aspects. I was terribly enthusiastic with Declarations Of The Grand Artificer, and I still am with this new epos.
What are the cons? Actually, and I mean it, I have none.
What are the pros? Excellent song writing, splendid performance, great sound, fabulous vocals, unique variety; even the artwork is sublime.
Need any further comment? I don’t think so either…