"'Curling Serpents Under Stone' is meant to serve as a tribute to the 90’s Norwegian Black Metal scene and bands like early SATYRICON, VED BUENS ENDE, ISENGARD, DARKTHRONE, and EMPEROR," G.Rex explains. "It's my way of paying respects to those who influenced me the most and paved the way for this artistic form and way of life. To them I owe the privilege of standing in the higher seats of Hell’s amphitheater, side to side with bards and predictors of humanity’s downfall.” The end result is less experimental, more medieval-like and more traditional than past releases, while at the same time maintaining the usual sophisticated arrangements, unpredictable riffing and a never obvious melodic style, true trademarks of the Portuguese artist.
Mixed and mastered by Gabriele Gramaglia (COSMIC PUTREFACTION, VERTEBRA ATLANTIS), "Curling Serpents Under Stone" is a cauldron of ravening vocals, haunting black metal riffs, and guitar solos that wrap around pulsating and hypnotic bass lines like the coils of a snake. ONIRIK's fervent invocations are seductive while treacherous, carrying a cruel profundity and a spiritual commitment that makes "Curling Serpents Under Stone" a modern black metal classic, as well as the most melodic and captivating work released by the band so far.