Arcturus "Sideshow Symphonies" (2005)

Arcturus are a highly respected outfit from Norway who pioneered their own Avant-Garde niche in the Black Metal scene. Starting out with more traditional elements they quickly evolved into a unique and energetic, chaotic showcase of intelligent and deep musicianship that delivered some classic and unforgettable progressive records that have had a resounding impact on my personal experience with music. Their Avant-Garde fusion of Symphony, Black Metal & Electronic styling has been legendary, however this album has been considered a miss by many fans and critics, and for me it is their finest hour. Where other felt they had "toned it down", for me, it was a sign of artistic maturity and an appreciation of powerful and subtle writing.

Sideshow Symphonies nine songs seamlessly drift through an astral journey with absorbing, atmospheric compositions crafted through the subtle and layered music. At every moment in this album many small and detailed elements paint a bigger picture. Whirling distant synthesizers, bright pianos, crunchy guitars and paramount leads, all gluing together effortlessly, with many moments in the album bringing different instruments to the forefront. The album sounds crisp and lush, with the subtlety of the instrumentals being the key element here. There is no competition between any of the instruments. Hellhammer's drumming is sharp as ever providing a strong, yet creative backbone for these songs to reside in.

With all thats good to be said about the instrumentation, Vortex's vocal leads steal the show. This man has a stunningly melodic and honest Scandinavian voice. On the track Demonpainter he brings a lead on another level thats unforgettable. I've had the pleasure of seeing him sing live a few times and there's no studio tricks, its raw talent, and its utilized well on this album which has been a favorite of mine for years. Every time i listen its all to easy to get warped up and lost in the wonderful Sideshow Symphonies masterpiece!

Favorite Track: Demonpainter

Rating: 9/10

Aeons Confer "The Soul Of The Universe" (2003)

This may just be one of the best records you've never heard in the world of symphonic black metal. Aeons Confer are a German band who's brief activity in the early 2000's yielded 2 EPs, this one being the first. Clocking in at just 17 minutes across 6 tracks this record delivers 3 blistering, thrashy and aggressive tracks that execute a sublime balance between the progressive metal elements and the symphony that moves from the background to the forefront effortlessly. Along side these are 3 symphonic interludes that really thicken listening experience and enrich the astral theme this band deliver.

This EP is a tight execution of some very well written songs that have stuck with me as a favorite for over 10 years. When i discovered this record Aeons Confer were a localized band with a website i some how managed to stumble across. Since then they have been a lost gem, unable to obtain there second EP release in late 03 they have been a band i often check back in with and search the web in hop of finding there second release.

It seems very fitting that on this day that i write my thoughts on a record, that has given me 10 years of listening pleasure, that a search reveals they have got it back together and released a new album and the Mirror Heart EP on bandcamp. I am very much looking forward to hearing them both :-)

Favorite Songs: All

Rating: 8/10

Dimmu Borgir "Spiritual Black Dimensions" (1999)

For my first post it would be only fitting to start with my favorite record, When i was a teen i was into the nu-metal and hip hop that MTV & VH1 were pushing at the time, but curiosity got hold of me when a friend in an online community pushed me in the direction of extreme metal, Dimmu Borgir, Meshuggah & Emperor for example were some of the bands i started taking an interest in. I was completely taken back by the extremity of force and aggression used in this music, it was unlike anything i was used to and it didn't take me long to become fascinated with it. This record was my 2nd or 3rd Borgir record i ordered from nuclear blast over the internet, and having only heard the opening track before i was quite shocked by the wall of sound that bombarded my ears at first listen, it took me a few more to adjust and behind that symphonic wall of sound was a musical masterpiece that, by my speculation, goes unnoticed even within the bands own fan base.

This album is 9 tracks of dark and blissful, majestic musical compositions that inspire awe and wonder every time i listen to it. The themes and sounds explored in this record are other worldly, and resonate a vibe of a place lost between life and death, it goes to a place no other record does. The music is directed by some powerful and deep lyrical content that really melds with the music. The overall sound of this album is crisp and warm with that "wall of sound" feel. The guitars are solid and packed with fantastic riffage, Astennu's lead guitar work on this record ads a haunting and chaotic flair, something i miss in later Dimmu records. To accompany all thats good I've said so far, the piano and synth work on this record is sublime and is the backbone of what makes this such a special listening experience, there are countless "moments" in this record of which Mustis's elegant key work is usually the highlight. The song structure across this album is mixed, and it feels like the band know exactly what there doing when they chose to progress or stick to simpler structures. Overall there is plenty on offer on all fronts here.

I doubt anyone reading this will enjoy this record as much as i have, but i assure you there is something very magical happening within those waves of sound bombarding your ears... let me leave you with a quote from my favorite song on this album, and of all time :-)

"Oh, dreadful angel of mine

Enrich me with the vastness of your being

Rigid father, teach me how to comprehend

I'll commit myself to understand

 For i am the accomplice"

Favorite Songs: All

Rating 10/10