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Netherbird - Into The Vast Uncharted review




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Reviewer:
9.3

69 users:
7.91
Band: Netherbird
Album: Into The Vast Uncharted
Release date: September 2019


01. Saturnine Ancestry
02. Harvest The Stars
03. Mercury Skies
04. Lunar Pendulum
05. Eventide Evangel
06. The Obsidian White
07. Nexus Of Unlight

An accurately self-described formidable force, these serious Swedes have released what is likely the most rounded, intricate extreme metal album of the year.

It may have taken several lineup and label changes over their 15 year existence, but the stars have finally aligned for Netherbird to drop what can only be described as a modern day masterpiece within the genre. Unlike previous releases, which were guilty of either overstaying their welcome or failing to expand on some interesting ideas, Into the Vast Uncharted is tight, concise, and filled with remarkable guitar work.

Building on their relentless Dissection worship, Netherbird manage to capture the gloomy atmosphere of any doom metal heavyweight that comes to mind, without sacrificing any of its commanding raw aggression. The songs are carefully woven so as not to detract too much from any one side of the spectrum too much, instead living dangerously in the middle, encapsulated by magnificent guitar harmonics and mesmerizing solos. Similar to their aforementioned countrymen, pulling from both the black and death metal pages of influence makes for a wider selection of inspiration, which only helps in the songwriting department. It's a legitimate buffet of delicious riffs, and repeat trips back to the serving tables comes highly recommended in order to achieve a proper sense of indulgence. There's more than enough to go around for even the most gluttonous among us.

Because the music is draped in a cover of brooding darkness, the intensive rhythmic portion conveys a far more sobering, deliberate message compared to some of the over-the-top gimmicky projects out there. Even though at times it feels like you're being taken on a power metal journey through the skies with how epic these screaming guitars are immediately upon being unleashed, the frequent pace changes and sense of poignancy keep the listener grounded in this captivating experience, luring you in a little deeper every time with its impressive array of melodies and harrowing undertones. Similar to when Deicide recruited the legendary Ralph Santolla for The Stench of Redemption, this album benefits immensely from its guitar-centric focus and as a result, engages its audience on a level never before seen during their lengthy time as a band.

It's safe to say every aspect of the musicianship is on point, with former Amon Amarth drummer Fredrik Andersson providing his characteristic weight behind the kit, and founding member Johan "Nephente" Fridell churning out another excellent vocal performance. Between his monstrous depth and pitched growls, combined with the top-notch musicianship from the rest of the band, not only is this album outstanding in its technicality and design, but for the performances on display. It's rare any time a band can make all the pieces of the puzzle fit, sometimes not even realizing what pieces are available to use, but with Into the Vast Uncharted, Netherbird have quite simply struck gold and crafted one of the year's most rewarding listens. Major props to Pontus "Bizmark" Andersson and his tireless attention to detail when it comes to songwriting. It all finally came together.


Rating breakdown
Performance: 10
Songwriting: 10
Originality: 5
Production: 10





Written on 14.10.2019 by I'm total pro; that's what I'm here for.


Comments

Comments: 22   Visited by: 210 users
14.10.2019 - 06:06
Rating: 9
OpethFlames

Great review and I fully agree, this is a treat to listen to!
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14.10.2019 - 06:25
Rating: 9
Troy Killjoy
perfunctionist
Written by OpethFlames on 14.10.2019 at 06:06

Great review and I fully agree, this is a treat to listen to!

Thanks Hopefully this review helps give it some more exposure because this is an absolute banger.
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"Wise men talk because they have something to say; fools because they have to say something."
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14.10.2019 - 08:24
Rating: 9
silenius

Thank you for bringing this to my attention mate. Dissection is one of my all time favorite bands and this shit is right up my alley .
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14.10.2019 - 08:36
Rating: 9
Troy Killjoy
perfunctionist
Written by silenius on 14.10.2019 at 08:24

Thank you for bringing this to my attention mate. Dissection is one of my all time favorite bands and this shit is right up my alley .

My pleasure. This is an album that clearly caters to Dissection fans, but covers enough of an array of styles that should cater to fans of black and/or death metal regardless of personal preference.

If there's a hill I'm willing to die on, it's that this album is at least deserving of an MS Awards nomination.
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"Wise men talk because they have something to say; fools because they have to say something."
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14.10.2019 - 09:26
Rating: 9
silenius

Written by Troy Killjoy on 14.10.2019 at 08:36

Written by silenius on 14.10.2019 at 08:24

Thank you for bringing this to my attention mate. Dissection is one of my all time favorite bands and this shit is right up my alley .

My pleasure. This is an album that clearly caters to Dissection fans, but covers enough of an array of styles that should cater to fans of black and/or death metal regardless of personal preference.

If there's a hill I'm willing to die on, it's that this album is at least deserving of an MS Awards nomination.


Haha go for it! I'm getting some Tribulation vibes in some songs as well which is nice (Lunar Pendulum springs to mind).
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14.10.2019 - 10:32
Rating: 9
RaduP
CertifiedHipster
Marvelous record
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Do you think if the heart keeps on shrinking
One day there will be no heart at all?
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14.10.2019 - 13:56
Bad English
Tage Westerlund
Great band, great ABM, great home forest and cold winter feeling into music, its great band and I like disection as well.
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Life is to short for LOVE, there is many great things to do online !!!

Stormtroopers of Death - ''Speak English or Die''
apos;'
[image]
I better die, because I never will learn speek english, so I choose dieing
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14.10.2019 - 14:15
Rating: 9
boo-boo

This is so amazing, bought it right after the first listen.
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World won't end today - it's already tomorrow in Australia.
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14.10.2019 - 16:28
Rating: 9
Troy Killjoy
perfunctionist
Written by RaduP on 14.10.2019 at 10:32

Marvelous record

Right up there with Cult of Luna for me this year as my personal favorites. Hopefully they continue like this in the future.
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"Wise men talk because they have something to say; fools because they have to say something."
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14.10.2019 - 16:29
Rating: 9
Troy Killjoy
perfunctionist
Written by boo-boo on 14.10.2019 at 14:15

This is so amazing, bought it right after the first listen.

I'm gonna look for a vinyl copy myself. I haven't bought a new album in a while but this one is worth it.
----
"Wise men talk because they have something to say; fools because they have to say something."
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14.10.2019 - 16:30
Rating: 9
Troy Killjoy
perfunctionist
Written by Bad English on 14.10.2019 at 13:56

Great band, great ABM, great home forest and cold winter feeling into music, its great band and I like disection as well.

It's the quintessential Bad English album. Have you listened to the rest of their albums or just this one?
----
"Wise men talk because they have something to say; fools because they have to say something."
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14.10.2019 - 16:32
Bad English
Tage Westerlund
Written by Troy Killjoy on 14.10.2019 at 16:30

Written by Bad English on 14.10.2019 at 13:56

Great band, great ABM, great home forest and cold winter feeling into music, its great band and I like disection as well.

It's the quintessential Bad English album. Have you listened to the rest of their albums or just this one?

Yes but it was long ago before i start analize, i an in mood for thy primordial
----
Life is to short for LOVE, there is many great things to do online !!!

Stormtroopers of Death - ''Speak English or Die''
apos;'
[image]
I better die, because I never will learn speek english, so I choose dieing
Loading...
14.10.2019 - 16:35
Rating: 9
Troy Killjoy
perfunctionist
Written by Bad English on 14.10.2019 at 16:32

Yes but it was long ago before i start analize, i an in mood for thy primordial

Fair enough, was just curious to see if you felt the same as me about their back catalog. Let me know if you go back and listen.
----
"Wise men talk because they have something to say; fools because they have to say something."
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14.10.2019 - 18:13
Bad English
Tage Westerlund
Written by Troy Killjoy on 14.10.2019 at 16:35

Written by Bad English on 14.10.2019 at 16:32

Yes but it was long ago before i start analize, i an in mood for thy primordial

Fair enough, was just curious to see if you felt the same as me about their back catalog. Let me know if you go back and listen.

I have ca 7000 bands to go trought whole disco
----
Life is to short for LOVE, there is many great things to do online !!!

Stormtroopers of Death - ''Speak English or Die''
apos;'
[image]
I better die, because I never will learn speek english, so I choose dieing
Loading...
14.10.2019 - 18:15
Rating: 9
Troy Killjoy
perfunctionist
Written by Bad English on 14.10.2019 at 18:13
I have ca 7000 bands to go trought whole disco

Okay so this is 7001. Should only take you few days.
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"Wise men talk because they have something to say; fools because they have to say something."
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14.10.2019 - 19:24
Bad English
Tage Westerlund
Written by Troy Killjoy on 14.10.2019 at 18:15

Written by Bad English on 14.10.2019 at 18:13
I have ca 7000 bands to go trought whole disco

Okay so this is 7001. Should only take you few days.

You never know i bland genres from hm, doom, bm and so on
----
Life is to short for LOVE, there is many great things to do online !!!

Stormtroopers of Death - ''Speak English or Die''
apos;'
[image]
I better die, because I never will learn speek english, so I choose dieing
Loading...
15.10.2019 - 09:55
Rating: 9
boo-boo

Quote:
Quote:

I'm gonna look for a vinyl copy myself. I haven't bought a new album in a while but this one is worth it.

Same thing here, I don't buy new records that often. This year is kind of special though, this is the second one after Under the Regolith by Antiverse (truly great stuff btw, deserves a lot more hype imo).
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World won't end today - it's already tomorrow in Australia.
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15.10.2019 - 17:57
Rating: 9
Troy Killjoy
perfunctionist
Written by boo-boo on 15.10.2019 at 09:55

Same thing here, I don't buy new records that often. This year is kind of special though, this is the second one after Under the Regolith by Antiverse (truly great stuff btw, deserves a lot more hype imo).

I hadn't heard that name until now and looked it up and it looks like it was released a year ago almost to the day my friend. Not that it changes how much you like it, just thought I'd point out its Oct 2018 release date.

And thanks for the suggestion, I'll make sure to get around to that asap.
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"Wise men talk because they have something to say; fools because they have to say something."
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21.10.2019 - 11:18
nikarg

Thanks for reviewing this. I would have missed it otherwise and it's a very good mbm album.
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23.10.2019 - 05:27
Rating: 9
Troy Killjoy
perfunctionist
Written by nikarg on 21.10.2019 at 11:18

Thanks for reviewing this. I would have missed it otherwise and it's a very good mbm album.

Thank Mr Editor for passing it along. Without him, I probably never would have even bothered with this, at least not for another few months while I caught up with things higher up on my list.
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"Wise men talk because they have something to say; fools because they have to say something."
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05.09.2020 - 05:54
Rating: 8
tintinb

This album moves at it's own pace, doesn't seem too hurried. That is what attracted me to their music.
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Leeches everywhere.
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22.06.2021 - 04:58
Rating: 7
Starvynth
i c deaf people
Recently gave this a listen due to Netherbird's upcoming album #6 and quickly noticed that this is right up my alley, it's almost my home address.
I just wish they would have varied the pace even more, specifically at the ends of the scale, but that's just my snobbish nagging rather than a genuine complaint.

But to be perfectly honest, it wasn't the review that piqued my interest in the first place, it was the album thread. Reading that you and Bad English share the same opinion was an unreal experience, it felt like watching a movie starring Steven Seagal and Daniel Day-Lewis.
Thanks to both of you for flagging this band up!
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signatures = SPAM
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