Diabolos Rising: Blood, Vampirism, Sadism (1996)

Diabolos Rising: Blood, Vampirism, Sadism (1996)

Dir. David Palser

Within a larger framework of esoteric and religious imagery cut together at seizure-inducing levels, an attempt was made to give each song its own aura. It doesn't always work but was a commendable idea.

The first is the least interesting unless you have strong feelings about Mika Luttinen's moustache.

The video for Ilsa is as you'd expect.

There's one that reminded me of Hellraiser III (1992).

The most unusual is perhaps the gothic period piece that never quite manages to convince; wedged between the sensory overload like it is means it feels like a visitor who arrived at the party a few decades too early.

The final entry had the potential to end with something visually hypnotic and emotionally lasting, but they chose not to go that route. It's as if they'd simply run out of ideas by that stage. Nevertheless, regardless of highs and lows and missed opportunities, that it exists at all is something to be praised.

To my knowledge it's never been transferred to DVD, so if you want to own it you'll have to hunt down a VHS. But if you just want to view it, it's available on YouTube at time of writing.

Tracklist:

Satanic Propaganda.(S.N.T.F. Rising)

CIRCLE OF BLOOD

Blood Lunar Cult

Blood Communion

Ilsa

CIRCLE OF PAIN

Sadism Unbound

Mantle of Suffering

CIRCLE OF DEATH

Necromanteion

Ashes to Ashes, Flesh to Dust