The Syndicate

http://acheronechoes.blogspot.com/

Gravado na cidade invicta durante o ano de 2008 este trabalho dos Profan é imenso. O quarteto percorre aspectos que hoje em dia são de certa forma comuns, mas fá-lo de modo intrigante, denso e subterrâneo [há sempre um registo de produção muito próximo dos trabalhos de Skepticism - aquela sensação que alguém referia de se estar dentro dum templo a ouvir uma banda a tocar no subsolo] e ainda assim consegue demonstrar um corpo estético em cada uma das incursões sónicas que percorre. Também o artwork foi muito bem trabalhado, enfim, tudo neste trabalho dá uma sensação de orfismo, dum religiosismo ou misticismo à procura de quebrar correntes espirituais tradicionais em busca daquela concupiscência primordial encerrada nas profundezas do ser.
E depois há um sentido de desenvolvimento do trabalho audio que ainda procurando um corpo sonoro como referi acima não deixa de ter sido feito com boa construção sonora como tantas vezes acontece em casos que confundem som cru com má qualidade de som. a criatividade dos músicos é exposta sobretudo nas ambiências que são desenvolvidas e que ultrapassam aquela barreira de catalogação.

Comprei à Bubonic esta de 200 cópias em forma de edição limitada que além do cd portava um poster e uma t-shirt. É um grande trabalho do underground português e uma edição de culto na minha óptica.

Aversionline webzine  – http://www.aversionline.com

“The Bestial Awakening” (released by Bubonic Productions) is billed as the “debut album” from Portugal’s Profan, but seeing as it’s limited to a mere 200 copies, I’m not really sure what makes it potentially more “official” than any of the preceding limited edition CD-R’s in the band’s (seemingly prolific) discography to date – especially since this does indeed mark my first exposure to their work. Apparently the band formed in the late-90’s as a black/death metal group, and then sort of broke apart until 2004. Since that time a few line-up shifts have taken place, and Profan is now exploring a doom/drone oriented approach that’s actually quite impressive. To be honest with you, in the years since “drone” has started to become recognized as somewhat of its own genre, my tolerance for/interest in such outings has rapidly decreased. I just find most “drone” bands to be extremely boring and unmoving. I’m not exactly sure what it is about Profan that captured my interest, but I could immediately sense that there was something different about this band, and they won me over right off the bat.
For one thing, drums and vocals are present, which is a plus. Let’s face it: Rumbling instrumental guitar and bass drones get old fast. But more than that, there’s a lot of true diversity across the board here. For example, the compositions aren’t massively long just for the sake of being big, oppressive, marathon songs – of the seven tracks, some are three or four minutes, some five or six, some 10 or more (for a very tasteful total running time of about 46 minutes). More specifically, some pieces come across more like experimental noise – true “drone” – utilizing synths, vocals, and unidentifiable sound sources to create eerie dark ambient excursions; while others actually play out like “real” songs – moderately slow and relatively streamlined, sure, but with an actual sense of structure and purpose as opposed to the often haphazard and/or improvisational characteristics that I tend to associate with this type of thing. There’s definitely a bit of an improvisational element at play here, whether it be found in layers of Godflesh-like feedback or throbbing low-end hums, but the use of percussion and vocals tends to help create more substance and focus. Furthermore, the vocal delivery ranges from your usual black metal-esque snarls to obscured whispers and deep, moaning chants, as well as an almost Joy Division-like croon!? There’s just a hell of a lot more going on here than most such bands that I’ve encountered, and it really works well to create a chilling atmosphere that holds your interest throughout.
I’m not clear on ordering information for this one, so I’d contact the band on MySpace or send the label an email to see what it takes to get your hands on one of these while you still can. As far as “drone” goes, Profan is certainly deserving of significantly more praise out there…

Grins From Below magazine by Christophe Szpajdel

PROFAN “Bestial Awakening” (Bubonic) 9.5/10

This is the missing link between funeral dooom and dr(((((((o))))))))ne.
This style of music is practically inexistent in Europe and PROFAN is one of the very few representants in a style i particularly enjoy. The atmospheres remind me something of Apparitia (Yeah, Bambi, you will neer cease to amaze me!), Nanda Devi (Alright, chef?)….guess what, this band could be from none to tomorrow next on the roster of Cavity Records or Southern Lord, so great they are coming along. Every song here is a masterpiece and I would give a particular praise on “Sea Curses” or “Towers” or “Howling”….when you put next a picture of Bruce Goff’s Boston Avenue Methodist Church in Tulsa in your vision….you just realize…IT CLEARLY MAKES SENSE….This is another band that inspired me drastically for honing my very own Depressiv’Moderne current.
It is limited to only 200 copies, so hurry up and order it now from Bubonic Productions, www.bubonicprod.pt.vu.