Normally I hold off on black metal til February, but this album was strong enough for me to want to go ahead and listen to it now. This Swedish band's 4th album finds them refining their songwriting. There is an almost rock n roll like groove to the churn of guitars that open the album. By the second song they fall back into the more punishing status quo of black metal, if I had to pick who they remind me of Gorgoroth would be the first band that comes to mind, I also thought of 1349 but they are much less thrashing and more deliberate in their attack. The vocals take on a more death metal growl at some times, but their scowl makes me think of Gorgoroth for sure.
For black metal this is more mid-tempo. Erik has also played in Dark Funeral so there is a little of that influence thrown in the mix as well. The vocals are very deliberate, the lyrics are understood, and not just an obligatory layer of howling. The title track is the first time they have a more thrashing edge to the guitars and when they kick into it, it works wonderfully. most black metal is sonically intense, but normally drones and hypnotizes more than hits you with something this heavy. There is some blasting, but this only one side to what is going on. "Chariots of Fire" opens with ambient synths before hurtling into the blitzing fury of their assault.
Normally bass get lost somewhere in the mix with black metal so it is good to hear an album where that is not only not the case, but it also plays a crucial role in the songs. This is partially why these guys are heavier than your average black metal band. "Jaw of the Underworld' is really just an outro, but it is a collection of cool sounds you do not normally hear on a black metal album. I will give this album a 9, these guys are black metal that cares about their songs and not just blast beats, capturing a mood dark enough for the blackest of souls.
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