Review of "The Pain of God", taken from metal-observer.com :
The Big Fella upstairs must get mightily miffed from time to time. He creates a world of wonder and sets mankind upon it, gives them a few simple rules to live by and they go and cock it right up. To add insult to injury, after a day at the office He sits down to relax to a bit of Eminence TV and is greeted by band after band banging on about what a groovy guy Satan is and how Hell is the place to be. Well it seems OPUS MAJESTIC seek to redress the balance a little bit.
Reading the lyric sheet, I could be wrong, but it would appear to be obvious that this band are Christians. Nothing wrong in that, I’m not a religious sort myself but would never put down anyone who is, whatever their creed. The irony here is that OPUS MAJESTIC are capable of such an unholy racket. There are further clues in that, at times, the songs here take on a hymn like quality. The tracks last between 9 to 16 minutes and so the band has it all cut out to maintain interest throughout, something they succeed with for the most part.
The general ambience is one of the album being recorded in a cavern (or cathedral perhaps.) The production is simple and lofi but effective nonetheless. The feel is one of a conflict between hope and despair. What would be a fairly depressing sound is uplifted by warm keyboards, the whole oft times reminding of SUMMONING. There is a pastoral mood to “The Pain Of God” which is punctuated by militaristic passages, best exemplified by the drum work. Whilst the pace is mostly slow to mid-paced there are plenty of occasions where OPUS MAJESTIC spur on, racing for the light.
Mention must be made of the guitars which are sootier than a tyre-dump fire and they possess the same radiant heat. In fact the whole album, especially “A New Sun Rises,” has a smoking hearth warmth to it, even the bass rumbles along like a summer storm. For all that don’t imagine “The Pain Of God” to be a pleasant listening affair, the vocals are delivered with an anguished growl, and when they are in top gear, the band pull you along with a finger hooked in each of your nostrils. It’s nice to see that there is a real drummer pounding away here, so many in this part of the Black Metal genre resort to electronics, beating away on real skin really does compliment the strangely uplifting ambience of the bands work. Woven Wind also knows how to be expressive without just pummelling away at his kit.
So, once again, the Americans show us how to make melancholic Black Metal, however OPUS MAJESTIC add a twist. Even without referring to the subject matter, which to be honest is poetic rather than preaching, the band evoke warmth and light as opposed to the more typical cold and dark of the genre. For a religious experience without all the dogma, “The Pain Of God” is a worthy purchase.
Romans 9:13 As it is written, Jacob have I loved, but Esau have I hated. 14 What shall we say then? Is there unrighteousness with God? God forbid. 15 For he saith to Moses, I will have mercy on whom I will have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I will have compassion. 16 So then it is not of him that willeth, nor of him that runneth, but of God that sheweth mercy. 17 For the scripture saith unto Pharaoh, Even for this same purpose have I raised thee up, that I might shew my power in thee, and that my name might be declared throughout all the earth. 18 Therefore hath he mercy on whom he will have mercy, and whom he will he hardeneth. 19 Thou wilt say then unto me, Why doth he yet find fault? For who hath resisted his will? 20 Nay but, O man, who art thou that repliest against God? Shall the thing formed say to him that formed it, Why hast thou made me thus? 21 Hath not the potter power over the clay, of the same lump to make one vessel unto honour, and another unto dishonour? 22 What if God, willing to shew his wrath, and to make his power known, endured with much longsuffering the vessels of wrath fitted to destruction: 23 And that he might make known the riches of his glory on the vessels of mercy, which he had afore prepared unto glory, 24 Even us, whom he hath called, not of the Jews only, but also of the Gentiles?
Psalm 111 Praise ye the LORD. I will praise the LORD with my whole heart, in the assembly of the upright, and in the congregation. The works of the LORD are great, sought out of all them that have pleasure therein. His work is honourable and glorious: and his righteousness endureth for ever. He hath made his wonderful works to be remembered: the LORD is gracious and full of compassion. He hath given meat unto them that fear him: he will ever be mindful of his covenant. He hath shewed his people the power of his works, that he may give them the heritage of the heathen. The works of his hands are verity and judgment; all his commandments are sure. They stand fast for ever and ever, and are done in truth and uprightness. He sent redemption unto his people: he hath commanded his covenant for ever: holy and reverend is his name. The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom: a good understanding have all they that do his commandments: his praise endureth for ever.
"For we are saved by hope: but hope that is seen is not hope: for what a man seeth, why doth he yet hope for? But if we hope for that we see not, then do we with patience wait for it. Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered. And he that searcheth the hearts knoweth what is the mind of the Spirit, because he maketh intercession for the saints according to the will of God. And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose. For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren. Moreover whom he did predestinate, them he also called: and whom he called, them he also justified: and whom he justified, them he also glorified. What shall we then say to these things? If God be for us, who can be against us?" ~ Romans 8:24-31
Philippians 1:9-11 And this I pray, that your love may abound yet more and more in knowledge and in all judgment; That ye may approve things that are excellent; that ye may be sincere and without offence till the day of Christ. Being filled with the fruits of righteousness, which are by Jesus Christ, unto the glory and praise of God.
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Isaiah 48:11 For mine own sake, even for mine own sake, will I do it: for how should my name be polluted? and I will not give my glory unto another. Acts 4:12 Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved. 2 Timothy 3:16,17 All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: That the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works. Romans 5:1,2 Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ: By whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God. Ephesians 2:8,9 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast.
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