Black metal – Page 230 – Wonderbox Metal

Spectral Lore – III (Review)

This is the fourth album from Greek Black Metallers Spectral Lore.

Spectral Lore play atmospheric Black Metal which courses with malevolence and a feeling of exploration without too much experimentation.

The songs are long, (as indeed is the album at just under 90 minutes), and they’re not afraid to develop their Progressive and Ambient sides. Well, I say “they” but Spectral Lore is actually only one person, which makes this album even more impressive.

The songs have a good amount of interest and variety during their long playing time which is essential for a work such as this. The Blackened melodies slip out of the speakers and the howling vocals are perfectly judged.

Even the bass is audible and does its own thing irrespective of the guitars in a rare show of autonomy.

Each track is emotive and lavishly bestowed with depth and character. A classic and masterfully judged recording harks back to the early glory days of the genre when Black Metal was already straining at the seams of its genre definitions but had yet to burst out completely. The sound in general is reminiscent of early Emperor and Satyricon and evokes nostalgic feelings whilst simultaneously earning it a stamp of high quality.

II is a veritable work of Black Metal art. It’s worth investing in this as its true value will only increase in time.

Lysura – II (Review)

Coming form the US, Lysura play Black Metal and this is their latest release.

II has two tracks, each clocking in at 8:41. This is Dissection-inspired Black Metal with a hint of Emperor.

Seasons in Exile starts off with some soft sounds and a gruff spoken voice barely audible. This slowly and inexorably builds to a rather grand set of riffs and noises reminiscent of Enslaved.

Once the song speeds up the screeching high vocals take the fore and we’re in icy cold territory with some bleak melodics and just a subtle hint of Thrash. Some Doom and even proto-Death Metal passages are allowed into the song enhancing it with their presence.

The second track Tome of Suppression starts with a rumbling, chuggy groove with razor blade vocals propelling it forwards before dropping off into lighter atmospherics with some almost 70’s noodling going on. Things soon get heavy again and add in a few Classic Metal riffs and we’re good to go.

The track demonstrates Lysura’s competence in weaving in small snippets of other genres into their sound without neglecting or weakening the Black Metal core that they’re founded on. Like the first one, this track is a winner.

II has a good energy about it and the band seem comfortable with their songwriting skills, even throwing in solos and leads.

Although this is billed as a demo the sound quality is perfectly fine for the most part and doesn’t get in the way of the enjoyment factor at all.

This is the kind of Black Metal that it’s easy to like; even within the given framework Lysura provide enough variety and interest to sustain and have enough depth of composition to ensure they aren’t written off lightly.

They have yet to release a full album, but when they do it’ll probably by a stormer.

Check this out.

Streaming here – http://www.metalunderground.com/news/details.cfm?newsid=102767

Flesh Born – Han (Review)

Coming from the US Flesh Born are set to unleash their latest EP on the world.

This is screaming Hardcore with a Black Metal feel; dark and Blackened moods with sharp riffs all packaged in very short songs designed to pierce the minds of the weak.

The Blackened riffs are layered with high pitched screams while the Hardcore sensibility keeps things from veering to far into Black Metal territory and ensures the tracks last only as long as they need to.

Eight tracks, 11 minutes; this was never going to be pretty. Having said that though Flash Born do find time for less abrasive and more emotive riffs in their arsenal of pain.

Even with the short length of the songs the band make ample room for some slower riffs with the guitars lazily spreading misery and hardship like a virus. The aptly named Gloom is a perfect example of the art of Blackened Doom, cut short.

If you haven’t encountered Flesh Born before this is an enjoyable introduction to them. If they ever get around to releasing a full album it will be really interesting to see what they do with it.

https://www.facebook.com/fleshborn

Interview with Narbeleth

Coming from Cuba and about to unleash A Hatred Manifesto, Narbeleth mean business. This is real Black Metal, unforced and ready to rage. I braved the darkness to find out more…

Give us a bit of background to Narbeleth

HAIL! NARBELETH was born back in 2008. At that time I played guitar on my previous band ANCESTOR, but I had many ideas that were out of this band concept, so I decided to create my own project. From the beginning NARBELETH was supposed to be a only a studio band, but two years later I decided to give a concert, and since then I’ve played in some occasions. To the date I’ve released “Dark Primitive Cult” demo, “Diabolus Incarnatus” album, “Hail Black Metal!” Ep, and now is almost out “A Hatred Manifesto”, the 2nd album.

What are your influences?

My influences come from the early Scandinavian Black Metal mainly. BATHROY, DARKTHRONE, ARCKANUM, JUDAS ISCARIOT, early TORMENTOR, LORD BELIAL, are among my main inspirations.

What are you listening to at the moment that you would like to recommend?

These days I’m listening to SKOGEN, SKYFORGER, DEAD TO THIS WORLD, DEMONICAL, NORTHERN PLAGUE, CRAFT, KULT, WARDRUNA… Bands that worth to check out for sure if you haven’t yet!

How do you feel about the wider Black Metal scene?

Yes, the Black Metal scene has become wider in the last years, and that’s good from the point of view of a revival of the essence in bands that create this art based in the early concept of it. Now, what is disgusting is all this trend of new suicidal and depressive Black Metal, and that’s so lame!!!! Black Metal is about strength, about supremacy of the individual and his power to grow up spiritually and become whatever you want, without any boundaries or limits.

Did you have any particular aims when you started to put together A Hatred Manifesto?

Absolutely! First of all, I wanted to get a better sound quality, and that’s one of the reasons this album delayed more than I was predicted; and also I wanted to go a little further with this albums that what I accomplished with the previous releases, and Folter Records gave me this opportunity.

Are you happy with how it turned out?

I am very happy with the general result; with the album itself, in all aspects, and with the release and work by Folter Records.

Tell us about the lyrics and themes running through the release

My lyrics are about Black Metal, about my life, and my vision of the world and how religions lead humanity to a cliff by creating intellectual barriers to people. I write about the freedom and the power every human have inside to be greater every day.

How do you write your songs?

First I compose riffs using the guitar; maybe I do a complete song, maybe I make a riff and then it fits to a previous recorded one… that depends on my inspiration. Then, when I have the whole song I do the drums and finally the lyrics

Did the recording process go smoothly?

Yes, it was slow, but efficiently. I work when I feel inspired and with no pressure so all can flow spontaneously and the most natural. I don’t like to force the creative process.

How do you see your sound/direction developing in the future?

NARBELETH’s sound is what you know already, and that will be the path to follow in the future. Black Metal is the lead, and I will follow it step by step always in NARBELETH.

What’s next for Narbeleth?

Right now I’m preparing to perform at the mighty Under the Black Sun festival next July, so see you all there raising fists and horns in the name of Black Metal. After I return from Europe I will begin to compose for the next album.

HAIL!

Valdrin – Beyond the Forest (Review)

This is the debut release from US Black Metallers Valdrin.

Valdrin play Melodic Black Metal; if you think of Dissection, Old Man’s Child, Dimmu Borgir and Emperor as your starting points you’ll get the right idea.

That’s not to say this is overly symphonic or orchestrated though; Valdrin may tip their toe in that genre of Black metal but they firmly live on the darker, harsher side of the Melodic Black Metal spectrum.

The orchestration and effects they employ are subtler than the more overt side of Dimmu Borgir and even Emperor, and are mere enhancements to the songs rather than the driving force.

The band know how to effortlessly mix aggression and melody, and have a good amount of variety in their compositions for this genre. They even employ a few solos; unusual for Black Metal but a very welcome addition.

The pure-blooded Black Metal vocals work well and complement the darkness of the music.

This is atmospheric Black Metal with none of the pomp and plenty of bite. It’s good to hear a few bands playing this style recently and bringing back the good old days of harsher Black Metal whilst still retaining some melodies and a sense of atmosphere.

Highly enjoyable.

Favourite Track: Beyond the Forest. Epic and empowering.

Interview with Norse

Australian band Norse have recently released the supremely tasty and atypical Black Metal EP Pest. Such a talented and bold release demands a closer look is taken at it. Let’s see what we discover…

Give us a bit of background to Norse.

Forge: The history of a band is never interesting to anyone really. All bands start in a similar fashion, with trials and tribulations along the way that are of no real concern to the listener.

If lineup changes and band statuses are your thing, maybe you’d be better off watching sports.

ADR: Norse has been reforged, as a weapon.

What are your influences?

Forge: For me, I am influenced by everything around me in nature. I work by myself in pine forests and will go days at a time without seeing anyone. When you’re this secluded, all the small things take up a bigger presence in your life and become a real inspiration.

My other influence is checking out all the shallow, rehashed and totally unoriginal bands and music in the metal scenes today. This gives me the will to rise above and create something that is unique to myself.

ADR: The complete isolation of the wilderness is highly inspirational. Contrarily, so too is witnessing the endless horrors people inflict upon each other and themselves. One can also draw great inspiration from the countless other miseries afflicting those here and across the world.

What are you listening to at the moment that you would like to recommend?

Forge: Bjork, Mount Kimbie, Marduk’s ‘Wormwood’.

ADR: Emperor, Gehenna – Unravel.
What did you want to achieve with your new EP?

Forge: I remember listening to bands when I was a kid and actually being scared by the music. It was an amazing experience! So naturally with Pest, to create music that confuses and unsettles was a big objective. I wanted to break every rule I could. I made the guitar do things it shouldn’t (and nearly broke it in the process of recording this EP) and I went against all the standard ‘performance’ rules of recording.

…by that I mean, I recorded guitars and bass and then mangled the takes, pushed them and tortured them until they transformed into the sound I was looking for. I don’t care what purists think or expect. This is art, not music created to the specifications of the ‘heavy metal handbook’.

ADR: To create an unnerving, chilling diatribe which is unrestrained by convention.

How do you feel it has progressed your sound since your previous album?

Forge: There is a big progression from ‘All is Mist and Fog’ to ‘Pest’, although it is a natural one. With the last album, I was crossing over from standard black metal ideas into more complex and unique compositions. Then I took the weirdest ideas from ‘All is Mist and Fog’ and stretched and skewed them until I arrived at the ‘Pest sound’.

It wasn’t an easy thing to do, as I had to constantly question everything I wrote. Why does it sound good? Is it because it sounds like something I’ve already heard? How can I make this unique? Etc.

In hindsight, ‘All is Mist and Fog’ was a very important album to write as it opened the door to a new way of approaching music.

ADR: ‘All is Mist and Fog’ is an excellent creation but Norse is constantly evolving. For ‘Pest’ everything was stripped back to reveal a raw, wounding sound and the result is a truly unique release which will take more than a few listens to fully appreciate.

Norse Are you happy with how it turned out?

Forge: Yes, ultimately. I was hating it for a while as it took me 3 years to write and record 6 songs. I recorded about 5 different versions of the EP until I was happy with it. I wanted the production to be wild and organic, but still have a certain clinical tightness and rigidity. I think a fine balance of technical execution mixed with raw aggression and emotion creates the ultimate atmosphere.

What can you tell us about the lyrics?

ADR: Dedicated fans will have a lot to relish and decipher in these lyrics. The freedom to delve into anything has led to the exploration of some warped and horrifying themes on ‘Pest’. Some weak individuals may find them offensive but this is black metal after all – extremity should not deter.

In my review I describe you as unusual and atypical Black Metal due to the non-standard riffs and structure of the compositions. Would you agree with this?

Forge: Yes, and I’m glad you picked up on this. However the problem with ‘unusual’ or experimental bands is 90% of it is garbage.

Being different just for the sake of it, with no overall goal or idea to work under is not what we are interested in at all. All we want to do is challenge ourselves and push the boundaries while still creating the best quality music we can.

How do you see your position in the wider Black Metal musical framework/genre?

Forge: We have never thought about or been bothered by it. I’m sure some time after the release of this EP it will be categorised, pigeonholed and labelled under some ridiculous sub-genre. People can’t help themselves.

How do you see your songs/direction developing in the future?

Forge: Honestly I couldn’t say. No Norse album has been the same, and I am proud of this. For the next release we have invited Shayne, our permanent session guitarist to help out with the writing. This will change the dynamic and bring a new element to the band. His technical capabilities are such that I can throw anything at him and he will be able to interpret it and convert it into a cohesive idea. He also has a very good creative side. I’m looking forward to the next album already.

What’s next for Norse?

Forge: Touring to promote Pest and then back into obscurity to start the next album.

ADR: Expect more hostility from Norse in the near future.

Dimholt – Liberation Funeral (Review)

Dimholt are a Bulgarian Black Metal band. This is their début album.

This is abrasive Black Metal with an aggressive edge.

The band have carefully crafted these 10 songs into a dark piece of Blackened art ready to spread ice to the warmest of hearts.

Dimholt may frequently play at speed but there’s always time for a frigid atmosphere to be developed. They also slow the pace when needed though to take advantage of subtler melodies and some nuanced riffing.

The band have an interesting line in Black Metal riffs, with a few atypical ones rearing their heads and enhancing their songs. Chaos Reborn is one example of many, where one of the riffs in particular has quite a Rockabilly feeling to it almost, albeit all Black Metalled up.

The vocals are scathing and full of icy hate, as befits this style of music. Dimholt also inject some cleaner vocals into the mix on occasion and these sound quite grand and impressive. It’s all very good stuff.

A full and impressive sound rounds the entire package off, and this is a Black Metal album that’s easy to fall for.

Top quality Black Metal. Check it out.

Primitive Man/Hexis – Split (Review)

Primitive Man are from the US and play Sludgy Doom. On this release they have teamed up with Danish Crusty Black Metallers Hexis. Each band contributes one song, each about 8 minutes in length.

This is my first time hearing Primitive Man, but I’ve heard good things about them and am not disappointed.

When Getting High Is Not Enough starts off crushingly slow and heavy with vocals so deep and dark they seem to swallow all light. After a while the bass adopts a crawling pose while the guitars transcend to an almost Post-Metal ethereality before falling back to earth with a weighty riff. This soon breaks out into an unexpected frenzy of speed and the vocals become higher and much more vicious.

The band have this ability to play slow, fast or chuggy-as-hell while still retaining their own identity and a sense of filthy, Sludge-fuelled blackness pervades everything. The song is a victory and I am left wanting to hear more from this impressive band.

Hexis are a band who I am very familiar with as they have produced some very strong material over the years, particularly their recent full length Abalam.

Their track Excrucio is a weighty beast that has their trademark Blackened guitar walls with shredding vocals seemingly buried just underneath the enormous tide of distortion. Hexis manage to write very emotive songs where the guitars are the main stars of the show and the vocals and everything else are their to support them and help to accentuate how rock solid they sound.

Hexis have struck a winning formula with their sound and Excrucio is no exception.

This is a great showcase for two talented bands that offer a lot for the discerning metal fan who wants something a bit more from their listening.

Black Anvil – Hail Death (Review)

Black Anvil are from the US and this is their third album of Black Metal.

As the first song Still Reborn slowly unfolds you know you’re in for a treat. There is a Thrash influence to the band that allows their songs to have somewhat of an epic feel to them rather akin to classic Metallica; cross this with an expansive Black Metal feeling the likes of which Enslaved create, (minus Viking influences), and give this whole idea a frozen Black Metal makeover and you’ve an idea of where Black Anvil are coming from.

Initial impressions? …And Justice For All being slowly eaten by Mardraum – Beyond the Within. High praise indeed.

And some of these riffs! Dear me. Excuse me while I have a sit down and compose myself. The band have obviously hit their stride with this album; each song is a powerful collection of riffs, solos, ideas, emotive passages and pulse-raising sections. The overall song is never sacrificed for any of these though, and each track is a delight.

The main vocals are Black Metal screams done in an Enslaved style, while additional vocals consist of everything from gang shouts to mystical cleans.

At over an hour and eleven minutes of music this never gets old or stale; Black Anvil have a lot to offer the listener and it’s easy to get sucked into their world.

A warm, organic production complements the songs and allows them to get under your skin and into your brain. There’s something particularly satisfying about the drum sound especially.

This is an exceptional album written by people who appear to be channelling the essential essence of Metal. This album deserves to be in your collection.

Black Anvil are just too good!

Narbeleth – A Hatred Manifesto (Review)

This is the second album from Cuban Black Metal band Narbeleth.

This is the real deal – proper underground Black Metal come to terrorize and destroy all you hold dear.

At just over 30 minutes in length it doesn’t mess around; 7 original hymns and a Urgehal cover.

A glance at the song titles and you know what you’re getting. There’s not much mistaking a band with a song called Posercorpse.

But what about the music? It’s Blacker than Black with a better recording than you might expect, which lends the songs an air of freedom to breathe in their skins. A satisfying snare sound and a cold but vital guitar tone seals the deal.

The band play plenty of blast beats but also slow down when necessary to foster an icy, unholy air with twisting melodics; Land of the Heathen being a good example, especially as it unexpectedly features clean vocals. But then Narbeleth likes to throw in the odd unexpected move here and there; such as the guitar solo in Nihilistic Propaganda.

This is exactly what you want from Black Metal.

https://www.facebook.com/pages/Narbeleth/369227176434482