After having stumbled across the music video for "Megalomaniac" on YouTube I got really interested in listening to the whole debut album by Porta Nigra simply because the song was so surprisingly great. What I especially like about it is the depressive tone mainly created by the high pitched wailings of the vocalist together with the incredibly catchy chorus.

Unfortunately though, now that I have listened to the full album a few times, I can't help but feel disappointed. Aside from the previously mentioned song as well as the gitar play, there was not a lot that felt engaging or memorable about it. It is such a pity since it is evident that the band is able to create some really intriguing music at times when everything works but sadly that occurs way too seldom on Fin de Siècle.

Granted, this is not a typical straight edge black metal record but it's not that much avantgarde and not doom metal at all. The music is pretty cool but they are too obssessed with musical wandering. The best parts are those which the band plays atmospheric black metal. Too bad they change their amazing atmospheric sound too ofter. It could be much better if they focoused more and stick to the simpler structures.
The production and performance is great,though.

Written by mz on 23.08.2014 at 13:27

... straight edge black metal

Never heard of that subgenre
So, it's a mix of straight edge and black metal?

Written by Marcel Hubregtse on 23.08.2014 at 13:54

Never heard of that subgenre
So, it's a mix of straight edge and black metal?

yes. When the music is dominated by BM we call it straight edge black metal. If straught edge elements are the main factors it will be black metal straight edge

Written by mz on 23.08.2014 at 14:30

Written by Marcel Hubregtse on 23.08.2014 at 13:54

Never heard of that subgenre
So, it's a mix of straight edge and black metal?

yes. When the music is dominated by BM we call it straight edge black metal. If straught edge elements are the main factors it will be black metal straight edge

you are kidding right? Saying that there is straight edge in Porta Nigra.
Because I really don't hear any hardcore punk with a straight edge message in their music.

this is straight edge (five songs in this link) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IqynS7LhRyo

Written by Marcel Hubregtse on 23.08.2014 at 14:58


you are kidding right? Saying that there is straight edge in Porta Nigra.
Because I really don't hear any hardcore punk with a straight edge message in their music.

this is straight edge (five songs in this link) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IqynS7LhRyo

Ooop sorry I didn't know such thing actually exist. I meant that this is not a typical black metal record and by straight edge, I meant straight forward or simple or something like that.
Anyway, what do you think about their genre? Do you hear any doom in their sound?

Written by mz on 23.08.2014 at 16:35

Written by Marcel Hubregtse on 23.08.2014 at 14:58


you are kidding right? Saying that there is straight edge in Porta Nigra.
Because I really don't hear any hardcore punk with a straight edge message in their music.

this is straight edge (five songs in this link) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IqynS7LhRyo

Ooop sorry I didn't know such thing actually exist. I meant that this is not a typical black metal record and by straight edge, I meant straight forward or simple or something like that.
Anyway, what do you think about their genre? Do you hear any doom in their sound?

I remember hearing doom in their songs on Fin De Siècle. But it's been almost two years ago that I last listened to the album, Had to review it at the time.

Much better than Kaiserschnitzel if you ask me.