This week black metal strikes like an ash-covered dagger, delivering blasphemous rage, unholy atmosphere and diabolical experimentation to sate your darkest cravings.
Blodskam – Ave Eva
Genre: Black metal
Subjective rating: 3/5
Objective rating: 3/5
Raw, disharmonic and bleak, this is black metal for when you’re just feeling fed up with the world. While it feels unpolished, they do sneak in enough melody and atmosphere to expand it beyond the purely traditional.
Celestial Grave – Vitriolic Atonement
Genre: Black metal
Subjective rating: 4/5
Objective rating: 4/5
Hostile yet laden with melancholy, this a dark album churning with powerful emotion, like a storm wracked seat in the blackest of night. The vocals and instruments alike embody this restless, tormented spirit, infusing each song with agonized and outraged life. There is haunting beauty in the melody and harsh attitude in the outbursts of aggression. Start to take it all in with “Exaltation” and “Eucharist”.
Condemned AD – Following A Failing Leader
Genre: Thrash metal/punk
Subjective rating: 2.5/5
Objective rating: 3/5
A boisterous and energetic album that offers up some interesting instrumental variations on the classic thrash formula, while also not quite reaching standout territory with their melodic arrangements.
Eternal Closure – At the Center of It All – Chapter I (EP)
Genre: Metalcore/progressive metal
Subjective rating: 3/5
Objective rating: 3/5
A spirited and varied take on metalcore incorporating elements of new and old, going brutally aggressive and not dipping too soft in between. They play around with progressive twists and turns with moderate success, but don’t quite deliver the most convincing melodic sections.
Frayle – Skin & Sorrow
Genre: Atmospheric doom metal
Subjective rating: 3.5/5
Objective rating: 3.5/5
A dark and deep pool of slow, heavy currents, this is a very stylistically unified doom record. The tone and tempo are more or less the same throughout, and while each song does have its own identity, it’s not far from the point where the entire thing feels continuous, with no major distinctions along the way.
Freedom Hawk – Take All You Can
Genre: Heavy/stoner metal
Subjective rating: 3.5/5
Objective rating: 3.5/5
A groovy, consistent and slightly muted desert stoner experience that’s at its best when propelled by heavy metal energy. Chugging riffs and dry melodies, with Ozzy-like vocals makes for a confident, if not a bit predictable output.
Gaerea – Mirage
Genre: Progressive black metal
Subjective rating: 4.5/5
Objective rating: 4.5/5
A dark triumph, this is a towering black metal force that dares to move the band’s individual performances to the front to lead the way. While there are atmospheric and orchestral elements along the way, the vocals and instruments really stand out as major pieces among pawns. The surges of fury, flourishes of emotion and dips into melancholy are all masterfully directed by the level of intensity each player puts in at any given moment. Each song is a strong statement, and while this isn’t a wildly experimental record it still offers up an impressive level of variation. Get into it with “Salve” and “Mirage”.
Gutvoid – Durance Of Lightless Horizons
Genre: Death/doom metal
Subjective rating: 3/5
Objective rating: 3.5/5
This is meaty-yet-somber death metal with an aura of cobweb-covered majesty. It takes its time to explore the soundscape and offers up a pleasing amount of nuance for a doomy outfit. The melody parts, however, feel a bit under-realized, and don’t really go anywhere.
Harvest Of Ash – Ache And Impulse
Genre: Progressive doom metal
Subjective rating: 2.5/5
Objective rating: 3/5
A mildly exploratory doom record with traits of hardcore and punk, which adds layers to the gloom. There are lulls and outbursts, but the tone is still monotonous to the point where it all feels a little devoid of purpose.
Invictus – Unstoppable
Genre: Groove/melodic death metal
Subjective rating: 4/5
Objective rating: 3.5/5
Here’s some aggressive-yet-melodic groove very much in the vein of Kataklysm (not surprisingly, it being Kataklysm mainman Maurizio Iacono’s solo project and involving Kataklysm/EX Deo guitarist J-F Dagenais). Fans of said band will find the same inclination for powerful, catchy and razor-sharp riff sections and furious, snarly vocals. But while Kataklysm has shifted in a starker and overall more brutal direction, Iacono has allowed for an influx of metalcore-y melody and nu-metal beats, bringing it a step closer to bands like Killswitch Engage without really compromising the relentlessness at the sound’s death metal-derived core. While it might feel a tad too accessible for some, it’s a real treat for those looking for a solidly crafted, uncomplicated groove/melodeath hybrid. Check out “Exiled” and “Darkest of Enemies”.
Kaledon – Legend Of The Forgotten Reign – Chapter VII: Evil Awakens
Genre: Power metal
Subjective rating: 2.5/5
Objective rating: 3/5
A fairly vigorous and highly melodic power metal output that unfortunately allows its instrumental performances to drown in an ocean of electronic auxiliary effects.
KEN Mode – Null
Genre: Noise/experimental metal
Subjective rating: 2.5/5
Objective rating: 3.5/5
In-your-face fury, with harsh vocals being complemented by equally harsh instrumentation, this is dark, hostile and dissonant. Adding elements of anguished melody, it feels like an emotionally charged output, that you need to be in a fairly particular state of mind in order to fully appreciate.
Kings Of Mercia – Kings Of Mercia
Genre: Heavy metal/hard rock
Subjective rating: 2/5
Objective rating: 2.5/5
A lively and melodic classic metal record infused with hard rock energy. The lyrics and melody lines aren’t exactly fresh, but the overall sound feels nurtured.
Live Burial – Curse Of The Forlorn
Genre: Death/black metal
Subjective rating: 2.5/5
Objective rating: 3/5
With a distinctly cold and low-fi sound, this is atmospheric-leaning death metal emerging from the cemetery to deliver tales of death and the fall of civilizations. It gets a little overwhelmed with trying to balance its chaotic brutality and melodic elements, and so can feel a little jumbled at times.
Living Wreckage – Living Wreckage
Genre: Heavy/thrash metal
Subjective rating: 3/5
Objective rating: 3/5
Little bit of groove, little bit of attitude, little bit of bombast. This is classic NWOBHM meets thrash and metalcore. The result is a mixed experience that doesn’t quite excel at anything but offers up a vibrant and fairly varied listening experience.
Meridian – The Fourth Dimension
Genre: Heavy metal
Subjective rating: 3/5
Objective rating: 3.5/5
A rich and crisp sounding traditional metal album with elements of classic prog. This is melodic and benevolent stuff that’s easy on the ears. Perhaps not extremely imaginative as far as rhythm and lyrical content goes, it’s crafted with expertise and enthusiasm, which makes for a pleasing listening experience.
Mindivide – Fragments
Genre: Progressive/gothic metal
Subjective rating: 3/5
Objective rating: 2.5/5
A curious and searching soundscape draped in a gossamer-thin layer of gloom, and unfortunately marred by some poorly adjusted and misplaced harmonies.
Mo’ynoq – A Place For Ash
Genre: Atmospheric black metal
Subjective rating: 3.5/5
Objective rating: 4/5
This is all at once longing, outraged and inspired black metal that produces visions of grim, prophetic dreamscapes. Each song sounds like a proclamation of sorts, and while a good deal of the instrumental strategies are recognizable genre traits, they are employed effectively. It is powerful and immersive, and will surely have fans of all kinds of dark, atmospheric metal captivated throughout.
Nordjevel – Gnavhol
Genre: Black metal
Subjective rating: 4.5/5
Objective rating: 4/5
Hitting like a diabolical declaration of war, this is refined, well-produced and furious black metal leaning heavily on its traditional roots but also inviting the punishing hammering of death metal. Only occasionally letting up to deliver some graven misanthropy, this is mostly the kind of devilry that gets you riled up and ready to commit atrocities in the mosh pit. Get in on it with “Within the Eyes” and “Spores of Gnosis”.
Orthodoxy – After Ignis
Genre: Death/doom metal
Subjective rating: 2.5/5
Objective rating: 3/5
A murky, cave-dwelling beast of a death doom record with an oppressive atmosphere and uniform tone.
Otus – Torch
Genre: Doom/sludge metal
Subjective rating: 3/5
Objective rating: 3.5/5
A dreamlike plunge into a slow-moving world of mildly psychedelic visions. This is gritty, gloomy sludge with atmospheric qualities that make the mind wander.
Razor – Cycle Of Contempt
Genre: Thrash/speed metal
Subjective rating: 3/5
Objective rating: 3.5/5
A serving of classic, speedy thrash, focused and delivered with proper amounts of attitude. The production is very naked, with the drums really highlighted in the mix. This accentuates the rhythm, a side effect of which is that it reminds you how similar it is throughout. While somewhat lacking in fullness and groove, it definitely feels sharpened and purposeful.
Sonja – Loud Arriver
Genre: Heavy/gothic metal
Subjective rating: 4/5
Objective rating: 4/5
An emphatic push of enthusiastic, alluring and slightly somber heavy metal. Many of the riffs have a heavy rock n’ roll quality to them, and there is a shade of glam over the vocals that go really well with the theme of grey veil nocturnal exploits. There is plenty of catchiness and groove to get your head bobbing, as well as a slightly haunting tone and dreamy melodies to temper it. It makes for an intriguing ambiguity and a standout expression. Try it with “Nylon Nights” and “Pink Fog”.
Space Of Variations – Imago
Genre: Metalcore/electronic metal
Subjective rating: 2.5/5
Objective rating: 3/5
A trendy, energetic, electronic-heavy metalcore output that leans into pop-punk and nu-metal. While there is little unique about the album as a whole, each song has a strong identity as part of the experience.
Stratovarius – Survive
Genre: Power/symphonic metal
Subjective rating: 3.5/5
Objective rating: 3.5/5
Brace for a wave of mighty Finnish power metal. Bringing symphonic grandeur, melodeath-inspired riffs and plenty of guitar-centric melody, this is the full package. It mixes dystopian themes with a very positive tone, which adds much needed depth to an experience that is entertaining, for sure, but otherwise fairly predictable.
Sundrowned – Glacious (EP)
Genre: Atmospheric/progressive metal
Subjective rating: 3.5/5
Objective rating: 4/5
A 3-song EP with far-reaching melodies that envelop you in a comforting, yet immersive sonic landscape. There are elements of black metal, mostly tied to the vocals, that tempers the experience with a backbone of bitter melancholy, but this juxtaposition does not feel jarring.
Talas – 1985
Genre: Heavy metal/hard rock
Subjective rating: 3.5/5
Objective rating: 3.5/5
A slice of mildly progressive old school heavy metal. It offers up a good amount of variation and original arrangements, with highly competent instrumentation and a fitting vocal style. Two of the very few things holding it back are the rather stale tempo and a lack of standout melody lines.
Venom Inc. – There’s Only Black
Genre: Thrash/heavy/black metal
Subjective rating: 4/5
Objective rating: 4/5
Rarely are we served the combo of blackened thrash and groovy heavy metal – certainly at this quality. The aggressive, dark energy never seems to let up, and it’s a band with plenty of tricks up its sleeves still that delivers wicked riff upon wicked riff, accompanied by gleeful licks and characteristic snarly vocals. There’s definitely a good bit of the relentless speed-blasphemy of Slayer to be found, with the added bad-assery of prime Judas Priest. Check out “How Many Can Die” and “Man As God”.
Writhing – Of Earth & Flesh
Genre: Death metal
Subjective rating: 3.5/5
Objective rating: 3.5/5
A punishing death train delivering deep gurgling vocals, blast beats and rhythmic, meaty riffs. The tone is a bit monotonous throughout, and the arrangements not the most inventive, but there’s plenty brutal goodness to bite into for raw death fans.
As always, if you think I’m completely off on an observation, unfairly dissed your favorite band or need to give an album another shot, do feel free to express yourself in the comments section below.
The Metal Dispatch 