Neptune Towers "Caravans To Empire Algol" (1994)

This record had the makings of something great, a mysterious album cover, the promise of dark and eerie ambient music. Side project of Norwegian Darkthone musician Fenriz, at the bands creative peak and released on Moonfog Productions. Unfortunately the music didn't quite live up to what one might expect but nothing appalling is in store, rather a mediocre ambience piece that does enough to define itself with a touch of memorable atmosphere that it can call its own.

An organic horn like noise confronts us as it morphs into a deep wall of fuzzy noise. Perilous to any tune or melody it shifts and transforms through bizarre and claustrophobic sounds packing sharp wave forms into a narrow range of frequency. Eventually a deep plodding melody creeps into the forefront to find itself quickly replaced by roaring noises and sweeping hisses. This continual metamorphosis resembles organs at one moment before our baseline returns to be replaced by a fluttery, swirling, heaving growth of sound around the twelve minute mark. At the sixteenth minute the rapid fluctuations make an uncanny zap lazer sound, dispelling the ambience with its lack of subtlety. The second track starts by falling to a black, unnerving atmosphere with low, creepy, rumbling distortions, soft and hidden in the tracks reverb. The rest mostly experiments with cascading sounds often feel as if they are descending, being sucked down into the darkness before ending with some rather paranoid sounds.

Its a strange and unusual experience, reminding me fondly of old black and white sci-fi horror movies with its stark and and adventurous use of primitive technology. I now find myself fascinated as to how this record was composed, in many moments the turning of knobs and dials can be felt but many of the tones and sounds created are quite mysterious and do not lend themselves to be understood. The process behind its creation could well be remarkable as its ambiguity serves to be its strength. Great listen but I didn't experience much that warranted my return after a few listens.

Rating: 4/10

Eternal Lord "Split With Azriel" (2006)

Having written about Eternal Lord's self titled debut, I was reminded of their follow up split record with English Metalcore outfit "Azriel", released the same year. Foolishly I never gave it much of a listen at the time and for this blog we are going to focus on the two of four songs this band contributed to the record. Its a step up in production fidelity and a few things become apparent quickly. Vocalist Rickett sounds far deeper, lower, looser in delivery but with the same tonal distinctions. The group also incorporate symphonic sounds, piano and strings, into their second track, much in the vein of Symphonic Black Metal. Very reminiscent of what Abigail Williams would do in the years to come, however the metallic instruments remained rooted in their Metalcore origins.

"Destiny" is the first of two and wouldn't sound out of place on their debut. The productions fidelity removes the organic, sludgy feel they once had and showcases the technical prowess of the riffing. For this it shows its Metalcore side more and when the breakdown hits it sounds far more generic without the sludgy, looser production to give it charm. On the flip side the tighter sound gives the guitars more room to express themselves and the drums blitz away through a clicky ecstasy.

"The Harp And Hellfire" is the ambitious track. Its piano led symphonic intro and light use of strings work well with the momentous nature of the opening riffs. Surprisingly the sounds mix, however the dark symphony is at first paired with drawn out power chords and a tremolo riff accompanied by blast beats. Very akin to Black Metal but swiftly the song finds its break back to the Metalcore vein. Another reasonable breakdown is followed unexpectedly a guitar solo with light strings. The song then reaches a climax with a groove, repeating over and over, steadily fading out to let a matching symphony overtake and see off the record.

This transition is an interesting one as the band effortlessly incorporated a different sound without compromising their own. However on closer examination the shifts between styles are rigid and obvious, yet it feels completely organic in the moment. This may have been their calling but unfortunately this period was short lived with a big stylistic shift in their 2007 demo.

Favorite Song: The Harp And Hellfire

Rating: 4/10

Emperor "Anthems To The Welkin At Dusk" (1997)

Riding the trail of illuminated stardust we descend from the cosmos into the deep majestic, endless forests of eternal darkness and enchanted beasts on the journey of our mortal souls. If ever the wonders of imagination evoked by natural beauty at night had a home, it is this. An inspired and truly astonishing feet of work that took Emperor's sound established on "In The Nightside Eclipse" to new heights. Epic, if ever truer a definition, its compass and wonder is its nature, one can only marvel in the shadow of music that so elegantly takes the extremities to the cutting edge of vision and composition. Skirmishing drums, razor blade guitars, devilish screams and shadowy symphonies meet on the battlefield to capture us with their imposing presence as we fill mercy to their persuasion.

"Anthems To The Welkin At Dusk" is Emporer's second full length and a hard one to follow with considering the widespread acclaim of their debut. With their drummer jailed and a bassist short Ihsahn and Samoth rejoined to write what is undoubtedly a masterful record that plays like a symphony, full of movements, progressions and climaxes. Every moment inspired and visionary the instruments fire on all cylinders as two guitars, drums, bass, vocals and multiple key lines show there prowess and technicality. At almost every point playing a unique lead, melody, tune, whatever you want to call the notation its a complex and genius arrangement of harmonization, uniting the instruments with the sparks of a darkest magic. It breathes and burgeons with a ferocious energy, barely containing its magic. The wall of sound bursting at the seams, every measurable noise ready to burst with light.

The mysterious record cover says a lot for the music. An amalgamation of dark castle spires deep in the forest, Gustave Dore's "Paradise Lost" angels sounding their trumpets for battle and the majestic shades of green, natures color. The fantasy, wonder and depths of the imagination this image might conjure is purely an extension of the musics inclination to that realm of fantasy. One which most likely takes a certain type of person to connect with.

So the record starts with a calming and soothing piece, steadily growing in intensity, always with a dark, mysterious undercurrent. One by one instruments chime and Ihsahn lures us in with ghostly whispers. They grow into shouts and bring us to an empiric horn section as if the dawn of battle has begun and in a swift track switch we are plunged in to the whirlwind of chaos and rattling blast beats and the almighty guitar riffage hits us with this full intensity. From here the pandemonium unravels itself with a frenzy of blazing fast paced guitars and rich symphonic bliss as this track and many others worm there way through the dark and black while lavishing us in melodic wonder through it thick sound. Its swiftness is intoxicating, a momentous weight of motion is unleashed as soaring riffs revel in their moment. Almost every song has its calm in the storm, a break to let the guitars and listener breath while the keys can drop in to take charge of a moment, replacing the aggression with awe.

The albums production clearly plays an important role in why this record works. Stepping away from the low-fidelity principles of their debut, Emperor exploit clarity to execute a denser complexity. The synths no longer an atmospheric accompaniment but a full partner in the musics direction. Within the expanded dimension Emperor cram all their musical might and it is pummeled together with a monstrously noisy drum kit which I think conjures a low-fi charm. I once thought the drums were poorly mixed, the pedals slap at high speeds and the ride cymbal cuts through the instruments. Over time I released the frantic energy the drums exude gives many of the albums moments its intensity.

The eight tracks make their mark, all of them offering a unique, captivating experience that peers deeper into the wonder. For the average listener a whirl of noise, for the seasoned Metal fan the atmosphere is as vivid and indulgent as it gets. Every time I revisit this record I find my catharsis again. It is so powerful and riveting it gives me goosebumps and refuels my energy for extreme music. Emperor undoubtedly solidified there status as Black Metal's greatest with this one but I think it is truly underappreciated in comparison. This is probably my second favorite record to grace my ears so far.

Favorite Songs: Ensorcelled By Khaos, The Loss And Curse Of Reverence, The Acclamation Of Bonds, With Strength I Burn

Rating: 10/10

Cradle Of Filth "Hammer Of The Witches" (2015)

Its been hailed as the "return of cradle". A fan pleaser, well received by critics and the bands 11th full length in a string of records releasing every two years on average. For some, myself included, the band lost their way back at the turn of the millennium with 2000s "Midian" which made a significant shift in sound. I haven't kept up with the band over the last decade and so this slipped into my playlist with ease, for the most part it resembles the traditional Cradle style I'm very fond of. With another major lineup change Dani has found the chemistry to spark the glory days. Two new guitarists, a change on keyboards and female vocals, and only another two who were present no further than the last record "Midnight In The Labyrinth".

"Hammer Of The Witches" best tracks would sound right at home in a set-list alongside Cradle's hallmark songs. The rest fall a touch further from the tree. Although writing some fantastic songs, the vast majority of it comes from the same principles, techniques and songwriting that worked so well on "V Empire" & "Dusk... And Her Embrace". It lingers in a balance between inspiration and calculation where sometimes the melodies persuasion is engulfing and other times the reminiscent becomes a reminder of what song or riff its akin too. The lead guitarist brings unfamiliar electric guitar solos into the earlier parts of the record, lacking in cohesion they dictate shifts and climaxes in the song while simultaneously feeling out of place in Cradle's dark and gothic sound. For the most part they nail the style and vibe but on this instance gave it an unnecessary weak point. In front of the lush orchestrated Extreme Metal is Dani's voice who's age can be heard. Its far from a concern but the signs are there. The lower guttural ranges coming across slightly gruff and lose. His shrill high pitched scream still powerful but shy on its intensity. He holds it together for the whole record well with the usual styles and same timing on delivery. It makes me wonder how much longer he can keep at it.

Not much unexpected happens across the course of the record, a decent collection of songs to entertain, what is most surprising is how inspired a handful of them feel. With more consistency at that peak this could of been quite a special record, however it is not. Production wise its squeaky clean, well balanced with just enough noise in there to keep a vibrancy going. Guitars are very crisp and clear, allowing them to master a range of riff styles audibly. Strings and keyboards use lush high end tones that gracefully fit in and only the drums pedals sound a little clinical and sterile at high speeds. Its another brick in the wall for Cradle's catalog and I am left feeling they should of taken more time to pursue the magic they sparked on a couple of tracks.

Favorite Songs: Deflowering The Maidenhead Displeasuring The Goddess, Blackest Magick In Practice

Rating: 7/10

Dream Theater "The Astonishing" (2016)

"The Astonishing" might be a name to reflect the bands ambitions on this humongous record spanning over two hours in length. Its a theatrical piece, a Metal musical, an opera that will test the short attention spans of many listeners. Dream Theater are the kings of Progressive Metal, fusing Prog Rock with Metal at the end of the 80s they have released a string of well received records over the years, now spanning over 30 for the American band. "The Astonishing" is a bold and audacious endeavor, throwing all caution to the wind and defying convention by loading a truly lengthy record with a meticulous story line to inspire illustrious, expansive music. Unfortunately its issue is indeed the audience of whom many may struggle to endure a record so lengthy and too I fell to this struggle. Its hard to get through 130 minutes of music without interruption and so experiencing the full might of the groups intention is difficult, yet they cannot be criticized for aiming high and to do something truly different from expectation.

So this grandiose story is set in the future where humans no longer make music and machines make noise. There is a royal family who rule over the lands and in a far away town a peasant, or commoner, posses the gift to compose and play music. The family travel to see the man play and the Princess falls in love with him. From there its a blur of ups and downs, triumphs and betrayals where my ability to follow the lyrics like reading a book lets me down. You can feel it in the music though, the progression and mood lets you know where the setting however the last thirty minutes of the record seems to consist of song after song with climatic endings that feel like the curtain close... and then it goes into another track. It has its moments, the fight for a cause, talks of revolution and a savior who brings gifts however it is much easier to understand reading the online synopsis than through the music.

The record is far less metallic than you'd expect, there is far more acoustics and a greater involvement from the pianos which seem ever present winding around the guitars lead. The amount of electric guitars leads and ever progressing melodies is quite remarkable, the band flesh out every moment without repeating themselves and it comes in a healthy dose layered compositions only such experienced musicians can pull off. Aside from the rather broad theme a few twists and turns pop up in the form of cultural and genre styles. Imperial marching music, swing, big band and trumpets and horns explode into life in their moments and of course there are a fair few ballads as one might expect. In between the main run of music a few short industrial, electronic, noise oriented sounds play in what I believe represents the noise machines, the final "Power Down" makes this kinda obvious, its a nice accompaniment.

In conclusion such a large piece defies understanding as even somehow having listened to this five or more times it is still a bit vague and at the mercy of the musics flow. And that's not a bad thing, if in the mood for following along the bands musicianship holds up, however to connect on a deeper level that familiarity and understanding alludes me. Its a double edged sword to create such an ambitious feet of work, however that's only if the listeners expectation is your concern.

Rating: 7/10

Eternal Lord "Eternal Lord" (2006)

I've been looking forward to the day Id talk about this short five track EP since I first started this blog! Eternal Lord are a short lived English Deathcore band who dropped this self titled in the prime of the scenes uprising. Its a real gem, one that never gets old for me and unfortunately rapid line up changes and shifts in sound meant they would never revisit the unusual breed of metal they conjured up in the twenty minutes the record lasts. The band would release a split record with Azirel in a similar vein but their first full length left much to be desired and so led to the band splitting in 2009.

The record opens up with "Upon Thy Icy Waves" and its Deathcore style isn't immediately apparent. Sludgy, slightly dissonant guitars chug and churn under a rattling drum kit and in the chords a strange tinge of harmony protrudes. As the song progresses through a drum solo into its first phase the snarling throaty screams drop in with a covering range of texture, raspy and loose. Under them the guitars hammer out atypical Metalcore riffs, melodies spliced between muted open strings, yet despite the similar technique a distinct and unique sound is very apparent. It progresses through the motions and ends with some bright a colorful leads to climax the song.

 At many intervals in these songs the band tread into the breakdown territory with sometimes bold and obvious approaches, letting the steady china cymbal bridge the space between the occasionally chugged guitars and the beastly vocal growls. In other moments the band have the sensibility to hold back the obvious nature of the breakdown and simply remove a few elements from the currently played guitar riff and amplify the groove on the drum kit. Its fantastic, giving constant refreshment of head banging energy to the flow of these songs which never let up on intensity.

In an untypical fashion for the genre, the band sounds somewhat mystic and a little drawn to some of the grander epic themes found in majestic Black Metal. Its a very indirect subtlety but the guitars have a darker charm to them and vocalist Rickett through his slack and gruff delivery enhances a nature vibe with animistic and beastly vocals that sound like a fantasy creature of the night. The song titles would also indicate these themes may have been an intention, rather than something I've found for myself, however some tremolo riffs wouldn't sound out of place on a Black Metal record.

 Aesthetically the production is a touch raw and blunt within reason. The drums batter and clatter away with a cutting intensity in the mix, the pedals have a rather clicking presence. The cymbals have a rather stark and crashing existence in the mix. Along with the loud and "in the front" mixing of the vocals the bass gets a little lost behind the guitars with their own serpentine texture, often enhanced by the syncopation with the pedals. All five tracks are distinct and firing on all cylinders with no weak spots, maybe room for preference or favoritism. Its been around ten years and it still sounds fantastic. A very overlooked record that I think particular types of Metalheads would get a real kick from. I'm kicking myself though as I never got to see them perform live.

Favorite Songs: Fields And Failure, Deeds To The Throne

Rating: 8/10

Cradle Of Filth "The Principal Of Evil Made Flesh" (1994)

Going back to their debut, Extreme Metal band Cradle Of Filth's distinct style arrives in an embryonic and unrefined form. I am guilty of never giving this one much time back in my youth when I was a big fan and going to it now their isn't a lot that's unfamiliar. Many of the songs have been re-recorded, re-written and adapted for use in future releases, always to sound superior. Something to keep in mind is this isn't the band's planned debut and whatever was on 93's Goetia this is a big shift in sound from the "Total Fucking Darkness" demo of the same year, where the group first distanced themselves from their Death Metal roots.

A lot of the musics spirit finds itself slightly buried in the poor production quality and although the ears adapt it doesn't have the same immersion a rich production would bring. The guitars, drums and bass are all in the typical cradle style but it is Dani and the keyboards that are noticeably a step behind. There are moments throughout where the power of the keys and there sounds lack the oomph and direction to be fully involved. Often sounding like an underwhelming accessory it is remarkable to hear how much the choice of instrument tone can impact its roll in the song. On this record though the keys are stiff and rigid, the quality is low and it shows. At regular intervals a short two minute keyboard instrumental pops up, throwing off the momentum and energy of the main songs and on one track a one second loop of flowing water plays under glistening, sparkly noises that get repetitive so quickly. It has charm but exposes the lack of budget a record of this ambition needs.

Secondly Dani hasn't quite found his voice, the surreal shrill scream makes its debut in a raw and powerful form but the regular guttural and throaty screams are a touch raspy, thin and tame in comparison. Its the problem with retrospect, you know whats to come and at the time this was probably a very exciting record to get your hands on, a new and wild sound emerging from the aftermath of Norwegian Black Metal and one of the first to embrace the possibilities of at least prototype Symphonies in Metal music.

The track "A Dream Of Wolves In The Snow" gives a sense of a rushed writing process, a short two minute piece with an epic intro that seems to quickly fizzle out on itself. It is without the epic riff that sparks the madness which it would become when re-written as "Queen Of Winter, Throned". Its a heavily flawed debut which still manages to showcase their creativity and vision. The production.. lackluster, wobbly with volume inconsistencies and an awful, sloppy sounding double pedal capture. Flawed, far from perfect it still made for a fun listen. Not one to start with if you are new to this band.

Rating: 6/10

Hot Dad "Wrestle" (2016)

Comedy and music don't always mix for me but when it works it can be pretty spectacular, which is what this record is in terms of putting a smile on your face and having a good time. Hot Dad is a one man band from America who's music focuses around a quirky and crude sense of humor. What he does so well on this release is parody with sparkly, colorful harmonized music that's lighthearted, simple yet executed with a sense of excellence that lets the underlying joke prevail, as opposed the mocking a genre with poor instrumentals, something Ive heard done to often.

So these songs are about wrestlers but they could simply be parodies of entrance songs with each track singing praises to the wrestler in question. All the tracks are about 90 seconds or less which is fantastic, the joke doesn't get stale and we swiftly move from one to the next. Each of the tracks have a distinctly 80's pop vibe about them but in an odd way, one that lacks the sense of cheese that came from the era's excessive use of electronic instruments that didn't have quite the polish they needed. Thanks to much care in composition and quality these melodies and hooks feel rather charming and the cheese simply reinforces the jokes which get increasingly crude and explicit as the record draws on.

The record starts with its best and perhaps the joke tires as the record draws on but it genuinely feels like the first twelve or so are considerably better than the rest. Hot Dad's light, fresh and poppy voice are a constant source of joy, dropping in higher ranged notes with typically pop vocal hooks and catches that again go for quality to reinforce the joke. There's a fair few songs that feel very familiar, "The Rock" reminds me of Thin Lizzy. It could be that these songs are also covers however radio pop music has never my strong point. Its a terrific record that's worth a listen if you want a chuckle, after a fair few listens the joke still holds on but the weaker tracks show themselves.

Rating: 6/10

School Of Seven Bells "SVIIB" (2016)

In the mood for something a little more upbeat and poppy I found my way to the "School of Seven Bells" fourth and final record. This NYC based Dream Pop trio consist of twin sisters Claudia and Alejandra who grace us with their voices as well as handling keyboards and guitars, alongside them multi instrumentalist Benjamin Curtis who sadly passed away in 2013. The record was mostly written in 2012 before Benjamin's death and revolves around how the group first met. To what extent it was "finished" with his involvement is unknown to me, however its irrelevant considering this the first of theirs I have listened to.

Opening up with a simple popping 4/4 beat and a breathy, wordless vocal hook the album quickly establishes its tone with bright and simplistic musical arrangements. In the chorus two vocal lines harmonize and swim around one another while the strings, blinking synthesizers, distant guitars and bold pumping bass melt into a dreamy wall of sound. Its borders the Ethereal but no distinct sombre or dark tones are to be found. "SVIIB" is upbeat yet sleepy, its bright energy slightly contained behind a slower, measured pace. Each song brings a different twist to a very settled sound, most of the creative variety focuses around vocal hooks and delivery between a rather stale verse chorus structure. The band conjure some great arrangements drifting towards ambience and ranging up to epic climatic poppy moments with layered synths and fuzzy, energetic guitars crashing into the fold, usually with a few shimmering melodic notes above the golden haze. 

Given the records setting and history the lyrical context probably plays an important role however, as I often am with words, they went in one ear and out the other. Their voices however are soft and easy on the ears, the entire sound of the record is lush, easily indulgent and full of dreamy reverbs finely mixed in a glossy sound. Where the record falters is at its core, the simplistic and poppy nature leaves much to be desired musically. Just after a couple of listens the songs feel a little worn as it doesn't take long to pick up the compositions which are generally short and played out through verse chorus structures. There's no progression in mood, structure or even melody, rarely even a repeated segment undergoing a key shift or additional instrumentation. However these are complaints of preference.

The album does wrap up with its better songs, "Confusion" breaking into a deep peaceful atmosphere, very reminiscent of the soothing ambience in Julee Cruise's "Floating Into The Night". Following is a rather atypical track, however its execution and charm a lot stronger than the rest of the record. The chorus has a memorable synth lead that soars and shimmers in the fading reverb. Great moment but unfortunately this record was a little sparse of substance which became apparent after just a handful of listens through.

Favorite Tracks: Confusion, This Is Our Time

Rating: 5/10

Cradle Of Filth "V Empire" (1996)

"V Empire", or "Dark Faerytales In Phallustein" was once to me a somewhat mysterious release from the English Extreme Metal band. A record with two names, sometimes listed as an EP and released instead of a "lost" record. Luckily now the Internet is a wealth of knowledge and the story is clear. Before their debut, which I am actually not familiar with, they recorded a full length known as "Goetia" in 93. Unfortunately the record label couldn't pay the studio bills and the recordings were wiped. Hastily signing with Cacophonous Records the group got a bad deal which led them to quickly write and record "V Empire" before jumping ship to Music for Nations. Recorded in 95 and released earlier in the year to their magnum opus "Dusk... And Her Embrace", it has only six tracks, but with a couple of lengthy tracks makes for an album experience.

Despite its rushed production Vempire, as its often referred to, has some of the bands finest moments, the opening three tracks a staple mark of any live show. Its a rawer experience with a lack of polish that translates into a wild energy that becomes refined and focused on its follow up. Its very much in the same moment, however Dani's unique and shrill howls are at their peak with a blinding intensity and haunting magnitude. Alongside them his deep, bellowing gothic spoken words, drenched in reverb fuel the fantasy worlds these songs take us too. In some of his most intense moments he sounds like Varg Vikerness and his animistic barks of agony. The rawer attitude of this record gives the extreme angle of their sound more freedom and the result is a faster, aggressive beast. The melodies and riffs create a vivid atmosphere and make for their most memorable material, especially the ten minute epic "Queen Of Winter, Throned", full of dramatic intensity, mood shifts and lightning screams its topped off with an almost cheesy moment of vampiric masturbation leading into the songs climax and conclusion.

Having revisited this one Ive really got a fuller sense of where it lies in Cradle's history and subsequently has become a fascination and curiosity. What could this have been under different circumstances? It feels like Cradle rushed their most inspired moment. In the flurry of a dash to escape a contract they managed to find a brilliant balance in production of rawness and power that would never be the same again. If this was strengthened by a few more decent tracks it could of easily been their ten out of ten. Fantastic record!

Favorite Songs: Ebony Dressed For Sunset, The Forest Whispers My Name, Queen Of Winter, Throned
Rating: 9/10

The Future Sound Of London "Lifeforms" (1994)

Sent to me from a twitter follower I fired up this record on youtube and ever so swiftly did this one reveal its brilliance. As on the first listen and many follow ups I was captivated by such an organic and spiritual musical experience. "Lifeforms" is a gem, a strange oddity of experimentation that abstracts the norm and unites the beyond with the now as if on a psychedelic drug trip, reaching into the limits of the mind. Perhaps its not totally "out there", or anything to blow your mind but given the context of 1994 this record is well ahead of its time, mixing all sorts of sounds into a fluid unravel of imaginative beauty for your soul to explore.

This is one of those records to experience yourself. There are some steadier moments where chilled out, down tempo beats providing a familiar rhythmic setting to nod along to, however its charm lies in a continually evolving tapestry of unusual samples and wandering instruments that find a mesmerizing chemistry in unusual places. Even room for a lofty, dreamy sample of "Cannon In D Major" to drift into the subconscious. At 90 minutes it doesn't outstay its welcome, but continually finds new territory and sound to move through, it could of easily gone on for longer.

Almost every moment on this record is fantastic and there are two moments in particular I'm fond of. As one might guess there is black and harrowing track that delves into dark down tempo ambience with shadowy shimmering synths, cryptic distorted voices and rippling sirens in the distances. It evolves into a short lived steady beat that grooves with an evil menace. In contrast "Dead Skin Cells" brightens the mood with with unusual alien sounds juxtaposed against birds tweeting in the distance while a laid back beat drifts on by. Much of the record ebbs and flows at its own pace, through one oddity after another. A truly riveting experience, one I will continue to dive into as time goes by.

Favorite Songs: Dead Skin Cells, Domain, Spineless Jelly, Vertical Pig

Rating: 8/10