Damn, this immediately already has a vastly better sound than the annoying previous record.

One of the best Black Metal albums released this year, imo.
And I don't see how "Apocalypse Sun" was annoying. It was a damn great record.

Written by RavenKing on 22.10.2011 at 00:52
One of the best Black Metal albums released this year, imo.

Agreed. I love the sound, the chaos, the melodies, all of it.

A natural progression from Apocalypse Sun, which was already quite a great album in its own right.

Written by Troy Killjoy on 22.10.2011 at 00:56

Written by RavenKing on 22.10.2011 at 00:52
One of the best Black Metal albums released this year, imo.

Agreed. I love the sound, the chaos, the melodies, all of it.

A natural progression from Apocalypse Sun, which was already quite a great album in its own right.

I can't decide which album, between this one and the new Taake, gets my vote for the Black Metal album of the year.
But I must listen to the new Absu (I'm still waiting for my copy) before making my mind.

Written by RavenKing on 22.10.2011 at 00:52

And I don't see how "Apocalypse Sun" was annoying. It was a damn great record.

Shitty, annoying clicky drums and oversaturated, overblown guitar sound. This one is much more balanced.

Written by [user id=4365] on 22.10.2011 at 01:13

Written by RavenKing on 22.10.2011 at 00:52

And I don't see how "Apocalypse Sun" was annoying. It was a damn great record.

Shitty, annoying clicky drums and oversaturated, overblown guitar sound. This one is much more balanced.

It was more a wall of sound but the sound of the drums didn't annoy me at all. It sounded very well for a drum machine, imo.
To each his own.

If you want to hear annoying clicky bass drums, just listen to "Death Magnetic". That's what I call annoying.

Written by RavenKing on 22.10.2011 at 01:17



It was more a wall of sound but the sound of the drums didn't annoy me at all. It sounded very well for a drum machine, imo.
To each his own.

If you want to hear annoying clicky bass drums, just listen to "Death Magnetic". That's what I call annoying.

I just found it was trying to be intense on two levels: the sound itself and the tremelo-picking. Having both didn't work for me and became a chore to listen to.

Written by [user id=4365] on 22.10.2011 at 01:18

I just found it was trying to be intense on two levels: the sound itself and the tremelo-picking. Having both didn't work for me and became a chore to listen to.

I would not be surprised if lots of people find the album a chore to listen to.
It's no easy listen and surely not for everyone.

Can't say I dislike it, and in any case it's way better than "Apocalypse Sun". There are still some elements that baffle me... Songs' length, for example: I know this band wants to convey a majestic and apocalyptic atmosphere, but at times I feel that some parts are unnecessarily stretched and become slightly pretentious; maybe I'll get used to it with few more listens. Plus, I think that a little bit more of "catchiness" wouldn't have been out of place. Nevertheless: yes it's very balanced, yes it's however less pretentious than the previous records, and yes it sounds fucking evil and frantic and evil and dissonant and evil and humm, did I mention it sounds evil?
Solid work. 7,5/10

It's a fun album, nothing more, nothing less.

Written by [user id=39762] on 24.11.2011 at 01:48
...

Agreed for the most part, although I gave it a higher rating than you. Where you felt the long songs detracted from the intensity of the album I felt more drawn in as a result of them adding to the apocalyptic atmosphere.

Written by Troy Killjoy on 24.11.2011 at 02:09

Written by [user id=39762] on 24.11.2011 at 01:48
...

Agreed for the most part, although I gave it a higher rating than you. Where you felt the long songs detracted from the intensity of the album I felt more drawn in as a result of them adding to the apocalyptic atmosphere.

In fact I think it's only a matter of time before I get used to it... Two listens can't be enough for this kind of music.

(Love "The Angel Of Smokeless Fire" btw)