MORTUARY DRAPE – Black Mirror

Let’s rewind to 1987, when Mortuary Drape first emerged with their debut demo tape, Necromancy. Describing a release like this as merely “dark” or “evil” would be a massive understatement—and not just because of its raw, murky production. What you get instead are ritualistic litanies, piercing screams, borderline unhinged drumming, and razor-sharp guitar work. In short, everything you might expect from an early Scandinavian black metal release—except for one key detail: Mortuary Drape comes from Italy. Considering that Necromancy was released the same year as Deathcrush, it raises an interesting question: who truly helped lay the foundations of black metal beyond Northern Europe? Alongside acts like Necromass and Opera IX, Mortuary Drape were among the earliest to shape the Italian scene. Although they formed earlier, their full-length debut All the Witches Dance arrived in 1994, bursting with malevolent energy and making their artistic direction unmistakably clear. The influence of Mercyful Fate is evident, but what truly defines their sound is a shadowy blend of death, progressive, doom, thrash, and even NWOBHM-inspired melodies, all filtered through a distinctly horror-driven aesthetic. Wildness Perversion (aka Walter Maini) quickly recognized the strength of this formula, refining and perfecting it across the years up to Black Mirror, their sixth studio album.

 

With a lineup that has remained solid for over a decade, Mortuary Drape has fully realized their original vision. They express themselves in a way that is both deeply personal and unmistakably unique. The opening track, Restless Death, is a perfect example. Its visceral vocals cut through the jagged riffs of Dario Chiereghin and Simone Rendina. Manuel Togni’s thunderous drumming propels the song. The track also makes space for the band’s signature “from beyond the grave” atmospheres. Here, those atmospheres are pushed even further into immersive territory. The Secret Lost shifts into a more thrash-oriented approach, evident in its relentless pacing and blistering mid-song solo. Yet it never loses its sinister edge. The growls remain commanding. Simone Cappato’s bass lines are sharp and prominent. The gothic-tinged guitars maintain a constant sense of unease. The same unsettling aura defines “Rattle Breath,” released ahead of the album, and is made memorable by Wildness Perversion’s dynamic, expressive vocals. Nocturnal Coven surprises by evoking the melodic sensibilities of Death SS. The Unburied and Fading Flowers Spell return to high-speed aggression, but never stray from the band’s ominous core. The title track closes the album by guiding the listener into the realm of the dead. It unfolds as a semi-acoustic ballad that ends in a haunting funeral chant.

 

At this point, it should be clear why Mortuary Drape are regarded as an iconic force in the Italian black metal. Very few bands have managed to create such a majestic and spectral sound, enriched by such a wide range of influences—and even fewer have sustained it long enough to forge a truly distinctive identity. With Black Mirror, they offer yet another compelling testament to their artistry, crafting a ritual that never lapses into repetition but keeps tension alive, suspended between dark visions and arcane ceremonies impossible to resist. Because music like this can only evoke feelings that are as ominous as they are captivating.