Dieux des Cimetières: Mercy & Severity

The multi-talented figure of marginal music, and an occasional writer for Imperiumi, Jesse Ryhänen has returned to perhaps his most important project after a break of just under two years. The album liner notes make it clear, however, that this is not exactly a fresh effort, but rather the result of work carried out between 2017 and 2025, now manifested as an album. Mercy & Severity is marginal music sung in both English and Finnish, most clearly falling into the martial and death industrial camp.

Released after 2024’s Säkeitä esoteerisesta Euroopasta, this beautifully packaged digipak contains ten tracks. Throughout them, one declaration or another is delivered in varying tones. Just as with the previous album, these are, in my opinion, the weakest part of the music.

Not because Ryhänen is incapable of expressing himself sharply, but because I personally prefer this kind of music in instrumental form — or at least interpreted in a different way. The difference from, say, the softer-voiced Puissance or, on the other hand, Ordo Equilibrio is quite clear.

Of course, tastes are not really up for debate, and for those who want vocals, Dieux des Cimetières delivers what it promises. Compositionally, I consider Mercy & Severity a stronger effort than its predecessor, although the differences are not particularly significant.

A certain sense of menace is combined with beauty and a militant tone. These elements have been forged into a package that follows its chosen path with steady confidence, without any obvious weaknesses.

In a sense, the vocals are also an important part of this atmosphere. They simply rub me the wrong way, although, having never heard the album in an instrumental version, I cannot say whether it would even work without the rasping delivery.

And there is little point in speculating about it anyway: Mercy & Severity is exactly what it is, and you either get used to its more abrasive sides or throw your hands up in defeat.

I do, however, enjoy the album’s overall atmosphere enough to find myself wondering, what if...? Perhaps a different vocal approach — something softer, perhaps — is exactly what this material needs?

While pondering such questions, everyone can decide for themselves how well this album, militantly channeling esotericism, war and dark atmospheres, works. It is clearly on the positive side of the ledger, though.

Tracklist:
1. After The Fire
2. Kuoleva jumala
3. Weepers Eve
4. Historian taivaanranta
5. Allala
6. We Came To See The Sun
7. Memoria Ignis
8. Mars Martial Magick
9. Who We Are
10. Qliphothic Encroachment

Links:
https://cimetieres.bandcamp.com/
https://www.facebook.com/DDCimetieres
https://www.instagram.com/dieuxdescimetieres/