VARIOUS ARTISTS
"Blackend IV" (Metal
Blade/Blackend)
Reviewed by Christopher J. Kelter
"Blackend IV" is the latest installment in Metal Blade's black metal samplers. I'm impressed that a label such as Metal Blade, under the Blackend banner, would compile a roster of bands within a genre from other labels (including, but not limited to Necropolis, Candlelight, Misanthropy, Moonfog, Spinefarm, and Solistitium). Kudos to Metal Blade for being brave enough to provide samplers like this - it's almost like inviting the competition to set up in your own store.
The 24 tracks here cut a wide swath of the black metal
genre. Everything from operatic touches, traditional metal influences, hints of death
metal, and classic metal grooves find their way into the various songs. Black metal
is a very curious music form. It's like having a violent storm and a beautiful
rainbow within each song. Cataclysmic shifts in tempo are a defining feature of this
musical form and nearly every single track displays a penchant for excessive drama.
It is also interesting to note that almost every single band is from Europe and
Scandinavia.
Disc One is the more consistent of this two CD set. Witchery commences the
proceedings with high energy and traditional metal leanings with "Witchery"
(following in the tradition of Black Sabbath and Iron Maiden with a song title of their
own name). Myrkskog's "A Poignant Scenario Of Death" wins this disc's cool song
title award, but does little more than provide a decent example of mid-paced black/death
mongrel. Usurper's "Dismal Wings Of Terror" is a decent slab of delirious terror
while Hecate Enthroned's "Thy Sorrow Bequeathed" adds a more gothic overtone to
the mix while remaining brutally intense. Primordial's "Atumnus Ablaze" is
a striking epic that proves sorrow alone can carry an eight-minute tune. Thorn's "The
Discipline Of Earth" sounds like what would happen if Slayer decided to play black
metal - heavily eerie with precision timing and a sense of melody. Emperor's contribution,
"Decrystallizing Reason," is yet another impeccable and tantalizing offering
from the kings of black metal. Prophanity take thrash-like riffs into black metal with
good production values with "Awaiting The Valkyries Arrival." Odium's
"Towards The Forest" has grand musical vision that rises above the typical black
metal growls. Misfortune add medieval touches to "The Prophecy." Ashes,
not to be confused with the hardcore band of the same name, make an impact with "Son
Of Mourning." Closing out the first disc is "The Amen Corner" from Opeth;
this remarkable piece of work navigates every slice of the musical spectrum as everything
is woven into a cohesive musical journey as the band carves a deeper niche for its
eclectic brand of black metal.
Disc Two has mixed results. Limbonic Art, which had
previously impressed me with "Though Gleams Of Death" on Blackend III, goes on
far too long with their tiresome "A Demonoid Virtue." Unfortunately, the next
track "In Chains Until Ragnarok" by Enslaved didn't do much for me either.
Myrkskog's second contribution on this compilation is nothing to write home about -
the music is a dense, noisy blur that goes nowhere fast. "The Past Is Like A
Funeral" from Behemoth, despite its death metal growling, is a robust chunk of black
metal with a hard rock edge. The somber, reverb-laden "I Breathe Without Access To
Air" from Peccatum contains operatic vocals - if anything, this song provides a quick
respite. Diabolical Masquerade meld keyboards and guitars into a hybrid of black
metal and power metal. Darkwoods My Betrothed's "Inside The Circle Of
Stones" has lush sections to counteract the standard death metal sections; acoustic
guitars also give the song depth. Thy Serpent's "Circle Of Pain" is also a
decent track that continues to demonstrate Finland's recent and impressive ascent to the
ranks of black metal's finest exporters. Witchery's second contribution, "Awaiting
The Exorcist," generates enough tension and fierce traditional metal musicianship to
peel paint off walls. Carpathian Forest's "Death Triumphant" is an evil
excursion down a path of doom. Opeth's "Demon Of The Fall" is another shining
example of how black metal can be entrancing while retaining many forms of metal's various
forms. Closing out the disc is an artistic and crafty piece by the underrated Ancient
Rites that begs to be heard; "Fatherland" combines black metal and traditional
metal riffs in a dramatic delivery.
To summarize I'd have to say the highlights are provided by Opeth, Emperor, Ancient Rites,
Thorns, Ashes, and Witchery. But with 24 tracks and 21 bands to choose from there's no
doubt that at least a few tracks will impress you.
It's always difficult to rate compilation albums. I'll stick with the two and a half
chainsaws rating due to the large number of tunes on the second CD that don't quite make
the mark. The lack of liner notes is also very disappointing; I view compilations as a big
advertisement and not providing liner notes is a cardinal sin (especially when information
on these bands on the Internet is difficult to find). However, there are a multitude of
great tunes here that will coerce and ease the casual metal listener into a style of metal
that receives little press and virtually no radio airplay.
Visit the Metal Blade homepage at http://metalblade.iuma.com/ to learn more about their roster of black metal bands.
Rating Guide:
A classic. This record will kick your ass.
Killer. Not a classic but it will rock your world.
So-so. You've heard better.
Pretty bad. Might make a nice coaster.
Self explanatory. Just the sight of the
cover makes you wanna hurl.
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Revised: 14 Jun 2020 15:11:01 -0400.
