Category: Album Reviews 2018

Crematory – Oblivion

With a twenty seven years career German gothic metal band Crematory has rightfully earned a solid status in the metal scene and the new album “Oblivion”, which also happens to be the fourteenth release in the prolific band’s discography, comes with loads of melodic hooks and cohesive creative force.

Starting with triumphant symphonic layers “Salvation” swiftly embraces a catchy darkened groove as tight guitar riffs and Felix’s signature deep growls take the lead and while the primary core maintains a gothic mood the chorus of clean soothing vocals and easy melodic guitars provide widely accessible tonalities.

On “Until The Dawn” sumptuous keyboards arrangements ensure a solemn beginning that will lead to another round of darkly entertaining grooves as guitars continue to shift from classic metal riffage to bright melodic moments enhanced by emotionally charged vocal harmonies.

A dark melancholy immediately sets the mood on “Wrong Side” with lovely keyboards melodies that will recur throughout the song’s guitar driven subdued grooves to amplify such goth infused vibes while inspired somber vocals are mixed to a fair dosage of powerful growls.  

“For All Of Us” aims to become as accessible as possible favoring a symphonic approach where keyboards dominate the song’s structure providing polychromatic layers to surround & support the catchy and certainly radio friendly chorus that again focuses on a particularly emotive vocal delivery nevertheless you still get to hear Felix’s enraged growls marching fiercely through the melodic guitars and occasional inflamed riffs.

“Immortal” favors electro arrangements with a futuristic danceable attitude that embellish the main catchy rock elements and inevitably generates positive energy while Felix’s growls continue to channel the darkest elements of Crematory’s classic songwriting style.

The title track showcases a mellower melancholic side but still delivers successfully a gothic tinged rock groove diligently built by crunchy guitar riffs and menacing growls further embellished by a wide array of modern electro accents before a crispy clean chorus steals the spotlight channeling darkened emotions with a pleasantly poignant vocal performance followed by polished guitar melodies.

“Demon Inside” is definitely one of the heaviest tracks on this album confidently drawing inspiration from old school gothic metal with Felix taking the spotlight to deliver massive diabolical growls over steady darkened guitar riffs but a graceful melodic essence will gain the spotlight with luminous orchestrations.

In all these years we got used to marvelous songs by Crematory and despite the various line up changes “Oblivion” conserves the band’s quintessential gothic style and is another strong effort that deserves to be listened loud on repeat to simply delight the band’s loyal fans but also conquer the heart of new acolytes.

Oblivion

Spiritual Front – Amour Braque

Led by mastermind Simone H. Salvatori Italian trio Spiritual Front returns with the first new work of music in eight years poetically entitled “Amour Braque” which evokes all the decadent nuances of the band’s nihilist suicide pop manifesto.

It’s easy to embrace the languid melodies of “Tenderness Through Violence” that becomes exquisitely romantic & decadent when the pure beauty of strings joins the melodic guitar phrases and the smooth melancholic vocal delivery.

That feeling of melancholia is extremely amplified on “The Abyss Of Heaven” which maintains a neofolk ballad mood with darkened guitar passages and echoes of distant trumpets that build lovely atmospheric soundscapes as well as subtle epic vibes.

“Children Of The Black Light” dwells in a darker gothic sonic realm where minimalist guitar melodies and shimmering strings join forces to create moody harmonies and intriguing rhythmic variations enhanced by the understated gloomy romance constantly evoked by intense vocals.

“Pain Is Love” is another decadent anthem filled of polychromatic emotions fully expressed by softly dark melodic guitars which march gracefully in the midst of elegant atmospheric arrangements.

The warm melodic essence of “Beauty Of Decay” continues to maintain a ballad style minimal rhythm with a soothing ensemble of guitar and strings but certainly doesn’t sacrifice that delicious combo of darkness and nihilism that characterizes the entire album.

With another round of charismatic & catchy melodies “Devoted To You” shines for the heartfelt somber vocals that are obviously telling a story of love and endless pain while guitars and strings craft darkly romantic textures.

You will instantly fall in love with the undiluted gloomy magic of “Vladimir Central” as moody guitars and piano effortlessly create a hymn to pure melancholia and a genuine declaration of love enriched by a darkened vocal delivery and an addictively catchy chorus.

Spiritual Front’s sixth full-length album “Amour Braque” is a collection of dark catchy ballads telling stories of love & sex with remarkable neofolk vibes destined to attract a niche but passionately devoted audience.

 

Tesseract – Sonder

Tesseract is back with their 4th full length album. It’s pretty short, but is packed with high quality music. They blend elements from all of their previous albums on this one, and add some new elements as well.

“Luminary” opens the album. It comes in very “In your face,” but then quickly goes into a calm verse with some cool syncopation. There’s some interesting play happening with the chord progressions. The chorus is pretty big sounding and very easy to get stuck in your head. This song is pretty “to the point,” thus making it a good way to open the album.

“King” has a pretty nice opening groove with some very cool vocal arrangements. There’s the signature Tesseract clean atmospheric stuff happening in here as well. You really get a little bit of everything in this song. Even a little bit of harsh vocals that fit perfectly.

“Orbital” is very different for this band. It’s for the most part a short post rock feeling song. It sounds huge and has a very beautiful musical theme. I really hope they add more of this into their music on future albums.

“Juno” opens powerfully, but then goes into an awesome groove. The verse is awesome! You’ll see what I mean. There is a change that comes up later with some excellent vocals melodies, creating a really nice atmosphere, while the drums go crazy. This is one of my favorite tracks.

“Beneath My Skin/Mirror Image”… This song clocks in at 11:21. Just listen to it. It’s well worth your time.

Sonder

Dimmu Borgir – Eonian

It’s been so long since successful extreme metal masters Dimmu Borgir released an album therefore fans are very curious to hear what the band has been concocting on the new effort “Eonian” which definitely amplifies the symphonic elements without sacrificing the arcane black metal roots.

The grandiose atmospheres of “The Unveiling” simply cannot go unnoticed as the elegantly sinister orchestrations surround the splendor of the operatic voices of the Schola Cantorum Choir. Such majestic introductory tonalities will be continuously amplified by the additional keyboards acrobatics and the massive dosage of enthralling symphonic arrangements but there are also intensely blackened moments diligently crafted by obscure guitar riffs and monolithic drum work.

The blackened groovy essence of “Ætheric” is immediately evident as guitars deliver loads of strong darkened riffs that will embrace the opulent symphonic orchestrations which create elaborate sumptuous melodic tapestries naturally leading to multiple esoteric & epic soundscapes.

“Council Of Wolves And Snakes” is immediately drenched in darkness with howls and atmospheric layers. While the primary rhythmic dynamics are not always particularly concerned about breakneck speed or traditional black metal elements the occasional blackened momentum featuring Shagrath’s signature diabolical vocals emerges through the decadent beauty of the orchestrations, the gothic tinged melodic guitars and the absolutely spellbinding choirs which definitely enhance the solemn & mystical tones of this track.

“Lightbringer” draws major inspiration from the band’s old school black metal roots as venomous guitar riffs and thunderous drums march fiercely in the midst of luciferian atmospheres and abyssal darkness with precise faster grooves while orchestrations & choir focus on symphonic opulence.

On “Archaic Correspondence” there are some blistering blackened guitar riffs and menacing drum blasts leading the way with growing fervor and wicked tonalities further enhanced by hellish theatrical vocals while symphonic accents and refined keyboards harmonies evoke darkly compelling melodies.

Sulphurous atmospheres surrounds the guitar driven blackened mood of “Alpha Aeon Omega” as once again a symphonic ensemble of magnificent orchestrations, gloomy melodic keyboards and opulent choirs embellish the inner hellish & heavier rhythmic dynamics.

In the end, “Eonian” might not delight the entire fanbase but, celebrating a twenty five years career, Dimmu Borgir confidently creates a darkly majestic album that naturally follows the band’s artistic evolution.

Eonian

Crone – Godspeed

Hailing from Northern Germany dark rock band Crone led by the renowned talent of Secrets Of The Moon mastermind Phil ‘sG’ Jonas is ready to captivate the listeners with the first full length “Godspeed” conceptually based on real life tragedies and unfortunate demises.

“The Ptilonist” is filled with dreamy guitar melodies that definitely hold a crucial role in the song’s structure and are fully immersed in surreal and distant atmospheric layers reminiscent of shoegaze nuances but will occasionally acquire groovy rock energy while warm vocals evoke sincere emotions perfectly matching the highly contemplative and rather darkened melodic essence.

“Mother Crone” maintains a dark soundscape with scattered brighter moments but mainly relies on minimalist poetic melodies skillfully crafted by graceful guitars and poignant vocal delivery resulting in an enchanting series of melancholy infused soundscapes.

“Leviathan’s Lifework” becomes more epic with sumptuous atmospheric arrangements embracing a unique melodic crescendo and feverish rhythmic dynamics that will lead to the raw emotions of vocals and the sophisticated beauty of the guitar work which effortlessly shifts from darkly melancholic chords to irresistible flamboyant rock soloing.

Introduced by daydreaming vibes “H” will stand out for the addictive grooves where guitars channel the rebellious mood of ‘90s alt rock and proceed to create darkly wild rhythmic crescendos mixed to absolutely catchy melodic phrases, spacey atmospheric arrangements and passionate vocals.

The majestic title track belongs to a realm of shattered dreams and tragedies with intensely dark atmospheres recurring through the hypnotizing rhythmic maze as guitars confidently deliver moody melodies and energetic crunchy riffs until an enigmatic contemplative breakdown emerges with the ethereal elements of shoegaze and introduces a multifaceted enthralling melodic ensemble that evokes pure melancholy.

Needless to say we need more dark rock bands like Crone in the current music scene and through mysterious soundscapes and intriguing storytelling “Godspeed” will inevitably drag you into the labyrinthic darkened realm that you are destined to love.

Godspeed

Sol Invictus – Necropolis

The good news is that progenitors of the Neofolk genre Sol Invictus are back with the spellbinding new album “Necropolis”, conceptually based on mastermind Tony Wakeford’s feelings of a declining London, but sadly this could possibly be the final release.

With minimalist chords, baroque accents and somber atmospheres “Necropolis Portal” opens the album focusing on fascinating and surreal vocal choirs that successfully evoke an apocalyptic requiem.

“See Them” will stand out for the theatrical vocal duet evoking melancholic feelings in the midst of minimal arpeggios, a soothing mix of atmospheric layers, stylish classical oriented instrumentation and of course folk style flutes.

The bittersweet track “Still Born Summer” begins with apocalyptic vibes and poignant vocalized narratives but soon maximizes the dark emotional quality of the entire album with visionary vocal delivery and a whimsical instrumental ensemble featuring intricate melodies.

“The Last Man” shines for the undiluted darkness and meaningful verses rendered exquisitely elegant by the soft arpeggios and rich Instrumental passages that lead to a surprising classical closure and ensure kaleidoscopic soundscapes accompanied by dramatic vocals and ethereal choirs.

“Set The Table” certainly showcases the melancholy infused essence of Neofolk as refined atmospheric arrangements, lovely piano melodies and smooth rhythmic crescendo gently evoke a darkened yet absolutely relaxing mood.

“Necropolis Egress” amplifies the post-apocalyptic vision that recurs throughout the album nevertheless refined arpeggios and ethereal choirs hold a dominant role crafting dismal melodic fluidity and poetic atmospheres.

Far from being an average album “Necropolis” stands out for the contemplative moments and the fascinating atmospheres that always surround the minimalist harmonies shaped in perfect Neofolk style as Sol Invictus delivers a cinematic ensemble of music & words.

Necropolis

Tengil – Shouldhavebeens

Young Swedish post-hardcore band Tengil will absolutely surprise and captivate the listeners with the spiritual essence, the diverse music approach and the undiluted nostalgia that characterize the sophomore album “Shouldhavebeens”

“I Dreamt I Was Old” stands out for the enigmatic rumbling rhythm built by a never-ending loop of dazed synths but soon ethereal guitar passages gracefully evoke wistful daydreaming and bright melodic accents further enriched by a deeply melancholic clean vocal delivery that acquires even more poignant vibes when everything becomes quiet and contemplative to favor minimalist atmospheres before embracing a final borderline chaotic rhythmic burst.

With a bittersweet harmonious essence “And The Best Was Yet To Come” is still full of whimsical atmospheric accents but revolves around a proper blackgaze essence with a generous dosage of distorted blackened guitar riffing that will leave enough space for many dreamy melodic passages which will inevitably hold a primary role together with intensely emotional vocals.

“It’s All For Springtime” begins with uplifting atmospheric nuances matched by bright guitar melodies but the song holds a stronger darkened emotional core that will fiercely emerge when a serious blast of distorted guitars and faster tempo takes over followed by edgy experimental dynamics and desperately chaotic sounds leaving behind the earlier wistfulness.

“All For Your Myth” still has experimental textures but a profound sense of nostalgia and longing plays a major influence on the songwriting generating a moody ensemble of soft arpeggios and ambiance atmospheres that belong to a realm made of pale dreams.

In reality it would be hard to categorize the soundscapes of “Shouldhavebeens” as the sonic emotional whirlwind of this album offers a multitude of music influences ranging from modern shoegaze to the obvious obscurity of post-black metal resulting in a refreshing yet highly nostalgic effort.

Shouldhavebeens

Throneless – Cycles

Swedish doom metal outfit Throneless is ready to make an impact in the underground scene with the monolithic heavy anthems of the new album “Cycles”.

Arising from a bottomless cave “Born In Vain” is all about massive crushing doom style guitar riffs, incredibly thick bass lines and monumental drumming which enrich the ominous slow rhythmic dynamics executed as this traditional genre dictates in order to sound truly heavy.

The title track begins with hypnotizing fuzzy melodies but later feels like a monochromatic opus that clearly dwells in the darkest depths of doom metal as guitar riffs acquire heavier tonalities constantly building darker rhythmic crescendos that seem endless.

Far from being a catchy tune “Oracle” is the ultimate super lengthy doom trip or a hymn to absolute misery where you basically get an overdose of slow & heavy riffing with few rhythmic variations immersed in a borderline oppressive atmosphere that enhances the sense of impending doom simply embedded in the desolate instrumental segments and murky desperate screams.

True lovers of doom will easily appreciate the primordial darkness that pervades “Cycles” as Throneless proudly prove to be faithful acolytes of such timeless music genre.

Wyrmwoods – Earth Made Flesh

Hailing from Finland multi-instrumentalist Nuurag-Vaarn has released the first Wyrmwoods album entitled “Earth Made Flesh” which contains an eclectic blend of traditional black metal and multifaceted music styles.

“Break The Seal” begins with an old school black metal approach with tight guitar riffs and raucous growls yet the atmospheric arrangements will contribute to the creation of somber melodies that will eventually evolve into a less obscure and absolutely interesting jazzy moments.

There is so much happening on “The Greater Festival Of Masks” as in the midst of purely chaotic black metal compositions soothing melodies or wild synths arrangements emerge brightly bearing folkish elements and peaceful vibes before the rise of another blackened sonic storm.

Progressive vibes become palpable on “Primordial Waters/The Well Of Urth” where enigmatic guitar phrases and synths layers create a suspenseful mood with strong ambient textures but a violent burst of blackened chaos will take away the apparent peace with dissonant dynamics.

Certainly it’s always impressive to see a solo artist concoct complex and often avant-garde music and in the case of Wyrmwoods’s debut effort “Earth Made Flesh” there are enough rhythmic and style variations to intrigue the listeners.

Glorior Belli – The Apostates

French black metal band Glorior Belli returns triumphantly with the latest effort “The Apostates” showcasing strong black metal roots leading to a traditional ferocious sound but there is much more to be discovered on this album.

Emerging from a familiar realm of darkness the primary guitar riffs of “Sui Generis” hold fiercely menacing tonalities as an ominous aura fills the atmosphere even when the rhythm section slows down with malignant groovy melodies and a sense of impending doom.

On “Deserters Of Eden” you can perceive a strong blackened essence as guitars & drums unravel thunderous fast dynamics accompanied by the expected dosage of furious growls yet the band will deliver also groovy guitar driven rock twists that certainly add diverse nuances to the primary heavier core.

The title track begins with enthralling guitar work focused on the creation of profound darkened melancholy but also loads of catchy rock grooves confidently embracing different styles to ultimately craft a refreshing music blend that cannot be unnoticed.

On “Jerkwater Redemption” there is no space for orthodox black metal rules as blackened rock grooves keep on rolling with catchy guitar riffs that effortlessly blend obscure tones further enhanced by diabolical growls and accessible rhythmic patterns.

To some “Rebel Reveries” might sound like a shot in the dark because Glorior Belli temporarily ditches the black metal obscurity to boldly embrace a soothing Southern rock melodic galore but it does make sense for a band that doesn’t care about pre-defined genres so there are also loads of sing along melodic hooks built over pleasant but still somber guitar harmonies.

“The Apostates” certainly revolves around a fair dosage of magnificent blackened essence but the true highlights of this work of music must be found in the inner sonic diversity that often channels catchy rock grooves as Glorior Belli demonstrates audacious creative force exploring classic rock territories.