Summoning
Let Mortal Heroes Sing Your Fame
[Napalm]
Finally, Summoning have released their 5th full-length album. For those of you unfamiliar with the band; Summoning, hailing from the productive bm nation of Austria, are a two man melodic bm project based around the works of Tolkien. Silenius, who used to be main vocal man for those other Austrian giants Abigor, can also be found involved with his other project Kreuzweg Ost. Protector boasts a dark industrial group called Ice Ages. Both of them can be found handling vocs in Summoning as well as all guitars and keyboards.
I have to say that Summoning are one of my all time favourite groups. I was hooked instantly when I picked up a copy of their second effort 'Minas Morgul' several years back and am a fan of the whole Austrian scene in general. Bands like Abigor (of course) Amestigon, Belphegor, Enid, Golden Dawn, Astaroth, are among some of my much preferred acts of all time. (Though I would avoid shit peddlers Amortis, whose over emphasised keyboard wankery is reminiscent of everyone’s favourite cock rockers Dimmu Borgir).
Anyway, enough babbling and on with the review. I was eagerly anticipating this album due to the disappointment I felt from the last two Abigor releases and was relying on Summoning not to let me down. And did they?. Well of course not, as usual Summoning have out done themselves yet again and another masterpiece has been created. Following on from their excellent last album 'Stronghold' (which I’ve listened to death), 'Let The Mortal Heroes Sing Your Fame' is a much more complex yet more rewarding listen. Beginning with a bombastic intro, using samples taken from a radio adapted lotr programme which are used throughout the album Silenius’ throat ripping vocals are still to be found. Most of the songs are adapted from the short songs written throughout both in the Hobbit and The LOTR’s. This is not raw bm, the production is crystal clear and keyboards are dominant all the way through, as with all Summoning albums. However, if you’re expecting to hear Dimmu Borgir or other needless key drenched buffoonery then look elsewhere. The keys compliment the guitar work perfectly and Summoning have shed their almost Casio sounding drum machine which was prevalent on their earlier releases.
Overall, as with all their efforts, it takes a few spins to get into properly. At the first listen you will be over awed by the complexity of the song structures, but once you get into them you’ll be drawn in DEEP. I still play this CD at least once a week, for summoning fans this is an essential purchase, for those unfamiliar with their work this is an excellent introduction and an album worth killing for, or at least, maiming a small child.
One final note on the packaging; amazing, with paintings of forests and the wilderness of middle earth, let down slightly by the crap band photos, Protector being skewered with a sword is amusing, but what the hell Silenius is meant to be has me baffled.
© 2003 count goat raper
I have to say that Summoning are one of my all time favourite groups. I was hooked instantly when I picked up a copy of their second effort 'Minas Morgul' several years back and am a fan of the whole Austrian scene in general. Bands like Abigor (of course) Amestigon, Belphegor, Enid, Golden Dawn, Astaroth, are among some of my much preferred acts of all time. (Though I would avoid shit peddlers Amortis, whose over emphasised keyboard wankery is reminiscent of everyone’s favourite cock rockers Dimmu Borgir).
Anyway, enough babbling and on with the review. I was eagerly anticipating this album due to the disappointment I felt from the last two Abigor releases and was relying on Summoning not to let me down. And did they?. Well of course not, as usual Summoning have out done themselves yet again and another masterpiece has been created. Following on from their excellent last album 'Stronghold' (which I’ve listened to death), 'Let The Mortal Heroes Sing Your Fame' is a much more complex yet more rewarding listen. Beginning with a bombastic intro, using samples taken from a radio adapted lotr programme which are used throughout the album Silenius’ throat ripping vocals are still to be found. Most of the songs are adapted from the short songs written throughout both in the Hobbit and The LOTR’s. This is not raw bm, the production is crystal clear and keyboards are dominant all the way through, as with all Summoning albums. However, if you’re expecting to hear Dimmu Borgir or other needless key drenched buffoonery then look elsewhere. The keys compliment the guitar work perfectly and Summoning have shed their almost Casio sounding drum machine which was prevalent on their earlier releases.
Overall, as with all their efforts, it takes a few spins to get into properly. At the first listen you will be over awed by the complexity of the song structures, but once you get into them you’ll be drawn in DEEP. I still play this CD at least once a week, for summoning fans this is an essential purchase, for those unfamiliar with their work this is an excellent introduction and an album worth killing for, or at least, maiming a small child.
One final note on the packaging; amazing, with paintings of forests and the wilderness of middle earth, let down slightly by the crap band photos, Protector being skewered with a sword is amusing, but what the hell Silenius is meant to be has me baffled.
© 2003 count goat raper