Well, 2010 finally has its first black metal masterpiece: Carach Angren’s second full-length album
Death Came Through a Phantom Ship. I was quite impressed with their first full-length album,
Lammendam, as they conjured a foreboding atmosphere that suited its narrative thrust, as well as containing interesting and varied song compositions that lent itself to multiple spins without becoming boring. So, suffice it to say, I have been greatly anticipating this album, but I was, I have to confess, concerned that it might suffer the
sophomore slump and not live up to the promise of the band's introductory album. However, I should not have fretted because, unlike Ov Hell’s
The Underworld Regime, I am ecstatic to report that the album does not disappoint even in the slightest, as it transcends the precedent set by
their previous album mainly because there is an even greater variegated quality to the song compositions, which has the advantage of providing memorable songs (
memorability is not always the easiest feat for many black metal bands, symphonic or not). Also working in the album's favor is that the judicious application of symphonic elements, which, while liberally utilized, greatly compliment the mood generated by the album’s narrative and thematic content, which concerns a mutiny at sea and the subsequent haunting of the ship’s sole survivor (this premise cannot help put me in mind of John Carpenter’s
The Fog, which is a good association to make, I believe), without falsely putting on airs--i.e., they contribute to the album rather than being arbitrary or pointless. Indeed, the symphonic elements nicely work in an interrelated fashion in the way that non-diegetic film scores heighten drama and tension in the narratives. Furthermore, the production is even better than the previous album, as the guitar work is heavier, and the drums are equally benefited by the production, as they are loud enough in the mix without dominating the other instruments, especially the vocals. I could go on and on about this album, but I'll spare you the explication and just close with this recommendation: listen to this album and support the band, as we
definitely want another album from Carach Angren!
Well, 2010 finally has its first black metal masterpiece: Carach Angren’s second full-length album Death Came Through a Phantom Ship. I was quite impressed with their first full-length album, Lammendam, as they conjured a foreboding atmosphere that suited its narrative thrust, as well as containing interesting and varied song compositions that lent itself to multiple spins without becoming boring. So, suffice it to say, I have been greatly anticipating this album, but I was, I have to confess, concerned that it might suffer the sophomore slump and not live up to the promise of the band's introductory album. However, I should not have fretted because, unlike Ov Hell’s The Underworld Regime, I am ecstatic to report that the album does not disappoint even in the slightest, as it transcends the precedent set by their previous album mainly because there is an even greater variegated quality to the song compositions, which has the advantage of providing memorable songs (memorability is not always the easiest feat for many black metal bands, symphonic or not). Also working in the album's favor is that the judicious application of symphonic elements, which, while liberally utilized, greatly compliment the mood generated by the album’s narrative and thematic content, which concerns a mutiny at sea and the subsequent haunting of the ship’s sole survivor (this premise cannot help put me in mind of John Carpenter’s The Fog, which is a good association to make, I believe), without falsely putting on airs--i.e., they contribute to the album rather than being arbitrary or pointless. Indeed, the symphonic elements nicely work in an interrelated fashion in the way that non-diegetic film scores heighten drama and tension in the narratives. Furthermore, the production is even better than the previous album, as the guitar work is heavier, and the drums are equally benefited by the production, as they are loud enough in the mix without dominating the other instruments, especially the vocals. I could go on and on about this album, but I'll spare you the explication and just close with this recommendation: listen to this album and support the band, as we definitely want another album from Carach Angren!
Tidak ada komentar:
Posting Komentar