REVIEWS
March 2006
SUMMONING (AUT)- "Oath Bound" CD'06
(8 tracks, 69. 08 min)(NAPALM)
How else would I be but subjective when it comes to one of my favourite projects? Honestly, I was really surprised to find out that Silenius & Protector have conceived a new album, since it had passed a long time from their last release. Well, I am glad about this new album, but "Minas Morgul" still haunts my mind! It raises up the idea that Silenius & Protector have hasted into this recent release, despite the considerable lenght of all seven tracks and the intro too! Nevertheless, it all may be tied to my own apprehension! Another fascinating feature is the way SUMMONING still enhances the epic aura, this time the sound being stressed through more aggressive and Black guitars! The melodical line is kept and the two vocals are extremely harshed as we expected! I was astonished by the masculine choral effects enhanced in "Might and Glory" and "Land Of The Dead", because of the "warrior" approach enlightens two purely original and uplifting hymns! The sound itself seems to be different, due to the integration of other instruments or, at least the imitation of other instruments! Also, while I was enjoying the first 30 seconds of one track (no. 5 as I recall it), I was under the impression of diving into DVKE realm! Not listening to this album it's absolutely forbidden, in spite the repetitive pattern we cannot avoid experiencing! Still, what the devil could someone expect conceiving after 7 albums released in about 13 years of existence? The main themes approached in this last album are once again inspired by J.R.R. Tolkien's Middle Earth, or the world wide known "The Lord Of The Rings" or "The Hobbit". The two artists sustain that the odd album title is linked to stories such as "The Silmarillion" or "The Unfinished Tales". Moreover, I find out that certain tracks like "Mirdautas Vras" are sung in Elf's language. I was never impressed by this kind of tales, but whether I like them or not is not relevant. The essential point is that the two have gathered the required energy to impress the Metal scene by creating such a musical project, based on Tolkien's stories, far ahead these last ones have reached the consumatory trend! More aggressive than ever before, but still Epic and Orchestral, "Oath Bound" is a pure masterpiece for SUMMONING's fans, me included! It is absolutely impossible for me to compare or mistake this project's sound with any other...I cannot tie it down to Black Metal, even if it is pure Black Metal, under a synthetic, SF curtain! The cover engraves the same mystic and delightful realm!
www.summoning.info
http://www.myspace.com/summoningowns
TYR (FAR)- "Eric The Red" CD'06
(12 tracks, 70. 38 min)(NAPALM)
This project makes no sense to me! The masculine voice is a pretty fine one, normal, rather sung and full of inspired inflexions. The main feeling about it: too light! It is announced as Viking Metal coming right from Faroe Islands! My way of apprehending it brings out a mix-up of commercial Metal with melodic Epic trends, also Power or even Progressive features, in which the key sound is defined by warrior-like guitars and choirs. The album is long and complex and, it would be unfair rating it as a feeble one! It hasn't inspired me at all, nor created a soaring state of mind! I wasn't convinced by these musicians, in spite their experience and numerous concerts held as far as I know... Too luminous and transparent for my underground tastes! But who knows, you might see things differently?
DARZAMAT (POL)- Transkarpatia" CD'06
(14 tracks, 50. 53 min)(METAL MIND)
My first contact with Flauros took place while listening to MASTIPHAL project, many years ago. It was followed by the demential debut "In The Flames Of Black Art", released in 1997 as I recall and, after that, it seems the Polish brought nothing original. "Oniriad" and "Semidevilish" dissapointed me to the bones, while "In The Opium Of Black Veil" was somehow interesting. I am pleased that it is only my point of view, since DARZAMAT's high number of concerts stands as a proof of their recognition! I wonder where did that magic blend of Black Metal, Gothic and Doom faded? I haven't got a clue, I only know that the fifth album strikes more powerful, furiously alternating the explosive Black Metal with pure Death Metal fragments and, furthermore, we have an Atmospheric dimension, saturated in vivacity, with a horror, almost vampiristique scenary created by the keyboard! Demonic masculine vocals are entwined with feminine ones, reminding me about the beauty and the beast, without being able to tell which is who! Finally, no more blah - blah, we have here an authentic Polish CRADLE OF FILTH, full of energy and promptitude, very atmospherical and aggressive, ideal for live shows! I must admit we are dealing with an esquisite recording and interpretation, but that is not enough to impress me! I had higher expectations from the sextet and I start questioning myself more and more often if my standards reached upper levels or am I just getting weary of listening to extreme Metal totally lacking originality. One upon another, we are dealing with an album excellently conceived and interpreted, but completely unpersonalized.
CERBERUS (POL)- "Klagelieder-Grabesgesang" CD'06
(8 tracks, 44. 06 min)(SCHWARZDORN)
Another modest Black Metal album, aiming to impress with a totally uninspired combination of modernism and classicism! We have primitiv and aggressive vocals, stressed underground guitars, seldom interrupted by some melodic fragments, wearisome battery and that's all the sound we get! Nothing original or significant, just another album (the Germans' second one) to be issued on the Black Metal scene.
