Enochian Crescent
Babalon Patrale De Telocvovim
[Avantgarde]
I haven't heard the debut CD from these finnish bastards, but this EP
is quite an excellent release. Nothing earth shatteringly original
mind you, but a very worthwhile listen. Quick-paced & solid drumming,
thick chainsaw guitars, effective supporting bass, and really well
done screechy grim vocals - all the ingredients needed to produce
something actually worth listening to (there are also moments in which
synth is used, but thankfully it's done very sparingly and in good
taste, much like the bands use of cleaner background vocals here and
there). The songs are mostly mid-paced with quick drums behind them
(making the material sound faster than it actually is), and is
relatively melodic (mostly due to some overlaying of lead guitar
lines), yet it still retains that harshness that's needed to keep
this from becoming Finland's answer to all those *oh* so exciting
Swedish melodic "black metal" bands. There's even a really well done
cover version of Bathory's "Thirteen Candles".
Overall, A worthwhile purchase for those needing a quick black metal
fix (and who don't particularly care about originality)...
© 1999 chorazaim