Ereb Altor – Hälsingemörker 9/10
Swedish metal titans Ereb Altor celebrate their heritage of legends and mysticism of ancient Scandinavia wit their tenth release, the mighty Hälsingemörker. Since 2003 the four masters of epic dark metal have moved away from their initial Bathory inspiration into their own unique force.
From the epic start that is “Valkyrian Fate” This is pure Ereb Altar, the song structures are strong and powerful, the riffs given plenty of room to grow and develop, the vocals of Ragnar reflecting the world with "In times of fire, in times of war". The clean vocals lines and melody run a strong thread throughout Hälsingemörker, backed by some excellent solos and keyboards, 'Ättestupan' is a track built entirely upon a darkened mood, its world enhancing atmosphere bult upon a slower arrangement echoing its sadness and loss. The Last Step is its frantic opposite yet no less poignant with anger, hope and resignation. The blackened descent of “Vir Är Mörkret” reaches its conclusion with “Träldom” where pure metal meets bleak atmosphere. Mats vocals elevate “The Waves, the Sky and the Pyre” into a grandiose display of epic doom inspired metal. Yet it is also dark folk with the excellent “Skogsrået,” and the acoustic coda that is “The Lake of Blood.”
Hälsingemörker is not such an album but a reflection of emotions where the past collides with the present, full of evocative imagery and concepts from the dual vocals and choirs, traditional to the bleak modern. This is a complete experience that combines blackened speed with melody, aura with simple intensity. A celebration of Norse mythology and extreme music!
Barshasketh - Antinomian Asceticism 8.5/10
Originally hailing from Wellington NZ and relocating to Scotland after their debut Defying the Bonds of Cosmic Thraldom, Barshasketh continue their blackened journey along the left-hand path with their utterly uncompromising fifth full length Antinomian Asceticism.
The original creation of Krigeist (now a four-piece) Antinomian Asceticism is pure black metal terror, it utterly revels in its hatred and wickedness. Complex in its creation and execution it is an album that takes further listens once the initial shock and awe approach has passed. Example” Antinomian Asceticism” is pitch black in its execution yet its outro and building atmosphere is unrelenting. “Radiant Aperture” redefines chaos in its purest from, “Lebenswelt Below” has the pace lower just briefly but ups the harrowing intensity. “Charnel Quietism” carries some bass fury in its mod tempo annihilation. It is the inherent excellence of Barshasketh musical complexity that it can create an immediate sonic holocaust whilst carrying depth and dynamic structures with just a touch of melody to haunt the listener, the denouement that is “Exultation of Ceaseless Defiance “reeks of damnation and hopelessness the vocals.
Antinomian Asceticism is the rejection of morals and the Christian forms of asceticism, vitriolic and unrelenting. Quite possibly the blackest of metal offerings in some time, Barshasketh have conjured an unapologetic offering that celebrates its misanthropy and horrific atmosphere.
The Great Old Ones – Kadath 8/10
Taking their name from H.P Lovecraft Kadath is a mountain crowned by an onyx castle, and the home of the dream-gods of Earth, otherwise known as the "Great Ones". Since 2009 the French quintet known as The Great Old Ones have evolved from their initial post metal to explorative progression and further extreme inspiration with their fifth and conceptual release.
Incredible dark, gloriously heavy with a haunting, disturbing edge. Kadath is an Album filled with longing and determination, from the brilliant 15-minute instrumental “Leng” to the opener “Me, the Dreamer,” that sets the tale for Randolph Carter and his trek across the nightmarish dreamscape. The crescendo that is the final act Astral Void (End of the Dream) completes the tale with a question and the promise of more to come. The Great Old Ones are masters of atmospheric world building carrying that edge of extremity and art that runs deep through their native history. It is a compelling journey that encapsulates the bands continual growth and evolution, the discordant riffs are paired with excellent heavy ones, The despairing guitar is everchanging from blackened fury to grandiose melody, the vocals are another instrument, the voice to the footstep that travail the nightmarish landscape becoming heavier with every step. “Second Rendez-Vous,”is a bonus track from the mind of Jean Michel Jarre that seems odd at first yet perfectly fits their universe.
Kadath is art meeting metal, horror combining with beauty, hope overcoming despair. Where intellect meets nightmare, intriguing, creative and vibrant. Epic soundscapes and creations that represent strength from within and purpose that carry the promise of more to come.
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