Band: Enslaved
Country of Origin: Norway
Status: Active
Genre: Progressive Black / Viking metal
Type: Full length
Format: CD (Ltd Digipak)
Length Approx.: 53:00 min.
Release Date: 03-06-2015
Current label: Nuclear Blast
A Ferocious and beautiful piece of black metal
Enslaved
is one of the few bands that has always caught my attention for their
versatility, unique style in the song writing process, their progressive sound
with no fear to experience new horizons, that is the reason to set them apart
from all the bands emerging during the second wave of black metal, it had its
origin at the beginnings of the nineties.
These
Norwegians has demonstrated through their twenty four year of career an
incredible progression from their Black metal roots leading us by an intricate
and complex musical structure, offering us records as "Vikingligr
Veldi", "Mardraum: Beyond the Within", "Below the
Lights", "Isa", "Axioma Ethica Odini",
"RIITIIR" to mention few of their huge catalog, now they approach to
us with their latest album "In Times" it consist of six tracks
surpassing the eight minute mark each and provide us some of the best tunes
they have recorded so far.
The
opening track "Thurisaz Dreaming" begins with a furious riff as hell
is coming with it, while the harsh vocals by bassist/vocalist Grutle Kjellson
are hellish then here we go with a subtle change of pace, and
keyboardist/vocalist Larsen show off his clean vocals through the piece and you
realize his evolution as singer if you think of him when they released
"Isa" in 2004, "Building with Fire" probably the most
catchy piece in the whole album and contrary to the previous track this one is
more oriented to metal/rock comparable to Amorphis sound, unpretentious riff,
aerie vocals gives an ethereal proportion there is a brilliant guitar solo and
an exceptional bass interlude, all this elements will stick in your mind for a
while, "One Thousand Years of Rain" it has a faint introduction that
moves you into a reflection, to shake you off again Kjellson explode his throat
to the skies and convey to a pure raw feeling alternating with harmonic and
melodic chants battling each other, the wide variety of riff and progression
chords are stunning at some time make you remember Opeth's style, "Nauthir
Bleeding" comes to be one of the most progressive and diverse pieces in
the album, perhaps the most unfathomable in their entire career, Bekkevold
delivers a drumming section that sounds epic and flawless, rarely you will find
a blending feeling of dynamism and balance alike as this, “In Times” keeps the
same path as its predecessor but feels like they are building a wall with those
progression chords before exploding into a chaotic commotion filled of blast, tremolo
picking guitars and resonant growls, the conclusion of this albums comes by
"Daylight" it has an unique atmosphere, dwells in a post-rock layers
and it transcends to another plane, the
chants behind the harsh intonations are mesmerizing follows by one of the best
if not the best guitar solo in this album, leaving the listener ecstatic
kneeling before them and suddenly the final countercharge in form of a lethal
guitar riff and hellish growls comes to end with you.
What
we have here is that it's unlikely we can match it with any previous record
released by Enslaved, what I mean is that it's a ferocious and beautiful piece
of black metal, this album has the potential to be enjoyed by the listener
little by little in a natural way, you just get carried away by your senses on
a journey to the frenzy with subtle melodies, that will take your breath away,
it is undeniable that Enslaved has been tracing a progressive path which seems
endless while providing enough contrast and smooth transition for many years to
come.
Stay True... Stay Metal... Stay Brutal...
Stay True... Stay Metal... Stay Brutal...
Track List:
1. Thurisaz Dreaming
2. Building with Fire
3. One Thousand Years of Rain
5. In Times
6. DaylightNuclear Blast
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