Aran Angmar are an international, (Greece/Italy/Netherlands), black metal band and this is their third album.
Featuring the vocalist of the mighty Saille, Ordo Diabolicum contains 43 minutes of second wave black metal, enriched by folk and atmospheric elements. A mix of the Scandinavian and Greek scenes in style, if you’ve encountered Aran Angmar previously, this is a newly evolved and accomplished version of the band.
The music is well-written, merging blackened intensity with song-focused structures and hooks. Clean and operatic vocals and choirs occasionally enhance the music, as do the use of acoustic guitars and folk melodies. There is plenty going on across Ordo Diabolicum, and it is clear that Aran Angmar have put a lot of work into this album.
Aran Angmar are skilled at deploying fiery blackened riffs and dark atmospheres. In contrast, the melodies are frequently bright and upbeat, (relatively speaking), recalling the Hellenic scene in their execution. Each song has been well-crafted, and the breakout potential into the next level of wider black metal awareness is obvious.
An unexpectedly impressive new album from Aran Angmar then. If you have a taste for black metal of the Hellenic variety, with good songs and a strong presence, then make sure you check out Ordo Diabolicum.
Wonderbox Metal 