Nightbringer - 2005 - Rex Ex Ordine Throni

Out of the United States comes this Black Metal act with a promo of their part of a split with Temple of Not, a band they share members with. This promo consists of 4 tracks of mid-paced to rather fast and slightly melodic, wellplayed Black Metal in the vein of Emperor and Carpathian Forest, with parts Watain and a less plastic sounding Limbonic Art at times, even. An interesting mix of Norwegian Black Metal with a slightly American sound.

The vocals remind me a bit of those in earlier Emperor, Ancient and Dark Funeral, but with a slight American sounding twist to them.

The production is a bit towards the thin, rather like the early days of the scene. The drums are what you hear most in the mix, with quite a De Mysteriis feel to the sound of the fills. There is also a keyboard present, which is more towards the front of the mix on the two last tracks. The use of the keyboard is the main similarity to Carpathian Forest. This has clear potential.

Standout tracks are "The Void" and "Mors Philosophorum".

Sunday January 14 2007, by :Vragh:

Baphomet's Throne - 2003 - Spiritual Evil

Polish Black Metal horde Baphomet's Throne (a great name for a band, I must say)have released this demo on the world. Four tracks of keyboard based Black Metal, including an outro have found their way onto this recording. Musically this sounds like a more organic sounding Limbonic Art (sans the drum machine) with parts later Dimmu Borgir and Metal elements. There are quite a few progressive parts present here. The music is mid-paced and with good harmonies throughout. These guys can handle their instrumens quite well.

The vocals are more towards the Death Metal sound, reminding me mostly of those by Ares
on Aeternus' A Darker Monument album.

The soundquality on this recording is very good indeed, everything can be heard clearly, and the keyboards aren't too high in the mix. Normally I am not that fond of keyboard based Black Metal, but this is actually really good.

Standout tracks are "Spiritual Evil" and "Bitewny Zgielk".

February 13 2005, by :Vragh: