Vorgrow - Black Metal Is Elitism [Demo] (2007)

Venezualen instrumental black metal. Now that's not a phrase I was expecting to use any time soon. Vorgrow are another fairly sombre affair, clearly it helps to be a miserable bastard if you wish to venture into the realms of black metal these days. We've got four fairly lengthy, numerically titled tracks on offer here and each manages to bring something a little different. Opening with a fairly calming effort comprised of looping clean guitar over a sporadic buzz, it has a slight Les Légions Noires feel. Following this is a sprawling track that's equal parts Graveland (the artificial drumming is similiar to 'Sons Of Fire and Steel') and Alcest with a bit of Darkthrone riffage thrown in for good measure. This is a demo that wears its influences on its sleeve; there's sprinklings of Immortal, a pinch of Enslaved, a touch of Peste Noire, the list goes on.

There is a soothingly epic feel across all of the compositions. Varying in pace, melody and cleanliness throughout, you can really hear the influences of numerous prolific black metal acts. The inclusion of vocals would probably improve the songs, however a lack does not necessarily hamper them. Either way this is a promising demo and another band whose full length I shall be looking forward too.

4/5

Zarach 'Baal' Tharagh/Demetrius Grave - Split (2007)

Nearly 60 demos, numerous splits and a couple of full lengths. You certainly can't fault Frenchman Luc Mertz's commitment to his Satanic lovechild Zarach 'Baal' Tharagh. Although not unloved by kvlties, ZBT is probably an unfortunate example of quantity over quality. The five tracks on offer are cut from the second demo Pure Evil Black Metal (an entirely accurate moniker). Musically, its probably everything that black metal should be: harsh, uncomfortable, and slightly disturbing. Droning buzzsaw riff(s), shrill, hate-filled rasping vocals and monotonous, blasting drums. It's just not particularly interesting (quite the understatement when compared to some of ZBT's fellow countrymen). Unless you pop a boner for all that is raw and underground, there's not much to offer.

Demetrius Grave however, are an altogether more intriguing outfit. Self professed maker of 'Snuff Movie Soundtracks', Beliaazar aka Mr. Grave is the sole proprietor of this particular project. The ambient track isn't anything to shout about, but the twelve minute opus that is 'The Call Of The Window' defies classification. In fact, attempting describing it at all would taint the entire auditory experience. Just listen.

2/5 (1 point for effort, 1 point for the aforementioned track)

Todtgelichter - Schemen (2007)

Todtgelichter are equally familiar and unique sounding. Their take on black metal is slightly depressive, a touch more melodic, and almost eternally blasting. The guitars and bass have a warm sound, at least for black metal, and their lamenting tone can be highly reminiscent of Primordial. The drumming is busy, even during the slower passages, and does its job well. The singer provides quality Germanic rasping, often breaking into hoarser, more emotional styles. At times he reminds me a little bit of Envy, and there is a slight skram feel to the album. Extra touches, such as a folksy acoustic skram breakdown, samples (the song "Blutstern" uses a whale's song at one point, which makes me think of the movie Legend and is totally awesome because there is no trver black metal than that which invokes Satan and Unicorns), keys, and a girl singer, show up infrequently but are nice touches that instill some variation into the pacing. The production is of relatively high quality, clean and slightly warm, while still keeping that classic black metal sound.

8/10

Fall of Empyrean - A Life Spent Dying Promo (2007)

Alright, I like Mournful Congregation. I understand that they're slow and relatively undynamic, but they still pull out a calm, mystical atmosphere that I find to be very enjoyable. However, when a band sounds like November's Doom (totally forced emotion, cliche and lacking music, horrible lyrics, etc etc) trying to sound like Mournful Congregation, well, I am not pleased. And that is exactly what the new Fall of Empyrean feels like - boring, hackneyed, shallow, and sometimes even laughable. The clean speaking that slips in every now and then is horrible, and the major source of said laughing. The guitars completely miss the point of doom, neither offering satisfying heaviness nor emotive atmosphere. Ineffectual piano tinkles and skitters behind the music, giving off some pretense of complexity. The death growls are fine, if uninspired. I probably would have fallen asleep if it weren't for teh chuckling.

It's sad, because their first full-length was a promising debut, and I expected some interesting work from these chaps. I actually think I might have liked some November's Doom better than this.

1/5

Xentrifuge - Light Extinguished (2007)

Xentrifuge are a US-based ebm band that sound essentially like a slightly-noisier and rawer version of Wumpscut. They rely heavily on distortion and four-on-the-floor 909 bass kicks, which generally lends the music a deliciously dirty feeling, but at times makes it drag on forever. When the supporting samples and synths are going there is a great sense of dynamic atmosphere, and the music flows through your body without a thought (side-note: due to the base beat, Xentrifuge has quite the dance feel to it). However, I did get weary of the drumming on some songs, most notably on "Cerebral Ruins." Vocals are presented in a filtered whisper form, much like the recent Grendel album, but distorted to the tenth sub-level of cybercide. Much like the drums, the vox are very gratifying when everything is meshing, but somewhat repetitive on their own.

Light Extinguished is a dense, gritty foray into the dark corners of ebm. There is an evil intensity that permeates the music, moreso than most electronic artists on the hard end of the scale. Fans of Wumpscut, Aesthetic Perfection, Grendel, and Diary of Dreams will get some movement out of this one, as would hardstyle and hard trance lovers.

8/10

Silva Nigra - Epocha (2007)

Another album number four, nearly 50 minutes of snare-snare-snare- snare-snare-snare "Total Antichrist Propaganda" from Czech raw black metal bandits Silva Nigra. Featuring the drummer from Trist (not that one, the other one) it's a gloriously sombre yet curiously riff laden journey through the dark and icy wastes.

Soothing industrial ambiance carries you gently into a slow groove before an icy blast tears you from safety, by which time it's too late. A chilling album of blasting black metal, never far removed from a subtle melancholy that pierces the frozen dirge. The anguish of Ulvberth's throaty, blackened rasp is never far behind, tearing at your soul as you desperately try to escape the suffocating depression. As comfortable with the typical d-beat snare blast assault as pouring sombre leads over a bleak soundscape, Silva Nigra have perfected their art. Pausing only for a brief interlude, Epocha is a complete black metal album, covering many areas and compromising none. It might not have the mindfucking depth of your Blut Aus Nord's or Deathspell Omega's, but equal parts old school krieg riffage and Celestia/Mortifera misery it remains impressive. All hail the Dark Lord. Satan is pleased.

9/10

Blood Red Throne - Come Death (2007)

Norway's stalwarts Blood Red Throne have returned with their fourth album of no nonsense death metal riffage. The first album featuring Vald (vocalist to BRT side project Trioxin) once again showcases Tchort and Død's Norwegian take on Swedish death via Florida. The only notable difference vocally is Vald's slight detours into the higher ranges, the staple death rasp is near identical to that of predecessor Mr. Hustler. As for the rest? Well, if it ain't broke don't fix it.

The chunky Swedish tone with those all familiar muted triplet crunches are staple throughout the album. Apart from Caspersen's dextrous bass widdling BRT have always eschewed technical focus for grooving riffs, which are in no short supply on Come Death. Mixing elements from previous effort Altered Genesis with the more casual groove of debut Monument of Death, BRT have delivered perhaps their most rounded effort to date. Opener 'Slaying the Lamb' gives you no time to prepare, charging straight in before dropping a trademark Throne riff whilst switching between frenzied blast and grooving chug with ease. 'Rebirth in Blood' has time for some melodious prog-riffing a la Anata before marching to a close, whilst 'Taste Of God' brings a little thrash to the deathfest. There's even time for a well executed Gorguts cover before the end.

Once again BRT have delivered the goods. Tchort and Død present a veritable riff buffet of accomplished death metal with more than enough variance to hold your attention from start to finish. Another fine slab of 2007 death metal that might even make some '... of the year' lists.

8/10