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Friday, January 30, 2004
"'Cell 666' by Apostasy"
by
Bill Vogel III
January 30, 2004 A.D.
Unique and unusually stark, Apostasy creates an Avant-Garde / Melodic Black Death Metal that is reminiscent of early Arcturus. Their 2004 opus, "Cell 666" [The End/Black Mark Records], is a surreal yet intense journey into darkness. Apostasy is one twisted, cool act of brutal weirdness.
Shrill growls stab intricate keyboards (which there are a lot of) and frenzied rhythms. Guitars mix with the synthesizers, manifesting bizarre and interesting atmospheres. Apostasy is a heavy, strange ride.
The best of these cosmic cuts includes "Beauty Of Death," the burning "Icon," "Cell 666," and the fury of "Reign Of Chaos." Apostasy is a horrific glory to behold. And it is good.
Overall, Apostasy is a wickedly cool band. So enjoy the mayhem. Stay savage. Farewell.
Related Bands: Arcturus, Emperor, Dissection, Dimmu
Borgir, Kovenant, Marduk, Akercocke,
Noctiferia, Throcult, Cradle Of Filth,
Burzum, etc.
Keep the faith, and the AGGRESSION.
Copyright 2004.
Courtesy of Stranger Aeons Magazine.
W.B. Vogel III 6:20 PM
"'Per Aspera' by Noctiferia"
by
Bill Vogel III
January 29, 2004 A.D.
In the genre of Melodic Black Death Metal, there are just a few truly exceptional acts. One of those is the powerful Noctiferia. Their 2003 opus, "Per Aspera" [Arctic Music Group], is a intricate assault of pure Blackened fury.
Melodic, ornate guitar leads crown a dynamic range of brilliant darkness. Tempos are diverse, and highly elegant. Shrieks mix with guttural, growled vocals. The rhythms are powerful-they dig in deeply like rusty nails. Noctiferia doesn't use blistering speed as a crutch...they are too talented to need to do that.
Severe and sublime, Noctiferia does it with a fierce glory. The best of these riotous tracks includes the pulverizing crush of "Err To Hell," "Never Rue," the ferocious "Per Aspera," and "Seething Eye." Noctiferia is like staring into a beautiful abyss...it's both stark and mesmerizing to behold.
In summary, Noctiferia has a relentless talent that resonates like thunder. This is Black Death Metal with an epic, exceptional quality. Stay savage. Farewell.
Related Bands: Throcult, Dimmu Borgir, Aeon,
Serpent Obscene, Aeturnus, Abyss,
Mystic Circle, etc.
Keep the faith, and the AGGRESSION.
Copyright 2004.
Courtesy of Stranger Aeons Magazine.
W.B. Vogel III 3:53 PM
Tuesday, January 27, 2004
"'A Quick Fix Of Melancholy' EP by Ulver"
by
Bill Vogel III
January 23, 2004 A.D.
Dark, Avant-Garde Metal is what Ulver is all about. The 2003 opus, "A Quick Fix Of Melancholy" [The End Records], is a radiant mangling of styles that are both tenebrous and ethereal.
Symphonic, Industrial, and Gothic elements all intermingle freely. Clean, operatic vocals drift through this black cloud of atmospheric gloom. This is NOT brutal, but it is eclectic and interesting. It has a strange concinnity to its disjointed beauty.
Of the four songs, the best ones are the abysmally sublime "Eitttlane" and "Little Blue Birds." Ulver is a uniquely diverse creation.
Overall, Ulver is a nice musical tangent down a winding, unknown road. This one is for the adventurous Metal fans alone. Stay savage. Farewell.
Related Bands: Green Carnation, Arcturus, Mortiis,
Rain Fell Within, Therion, etc.
Keep the faith, and the AGGRESSION.
Copyright 2004.
Courtesy of Stranger Aeons Magazine.
W.B. Vogel III 3:51 PM
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