Zornheym - Where Hatred Dwells And Darkness Reigns (EN)
Band: Zornheym (S)
Genre: Symphonic Extreme Metal
Label: Non
Serviam Records
Album Titel: Where Hatred Dwells And Darkness Reigns
Duration: 38:01
Releasedate: 15.09.2017
When I read the description Symphonic Extreme Metal, I thought:
hmm ... is not everything "extreme", which is outside the "normal"
Heavy Metal? After I have listened to Zhornheym's debut "Where
Hatred Dwells And Darkness Reigns" more than once, I think that this
genre description is probably chosen so as not to get put in a
certain drawer. As even if this has many ascpects of black Metal, it
can not really be called that.
The whole thing starts with
the opener "The Opposed". This is introduced with a slightly spacey
sample, then it lets the drums run loose, sawing riffs resound and
with the keys an orchestral carpet comes into the play.To this are
background choirs with female vocals added, similar to the way we
know it from early Tristania, before Bendlers' vocals were added.
These are rough and dark and a kind of mixture of growls and sweets.
This number, like the rest of the album, has a lot of melody, which
is amplified once the guitars start to flit and contribute their
solos. Above all, there is a symphonic carpet, which, however, never
sets the keys so much that it could get annoying. The mix is
excellent and does not leave the guitars get behind in the symphonic
sound. On the contrary, they always remain a defining element, which
is very beneficial to this album.
In "Decessit Vita Patris",
the strongest track on the album, they can convince with epic
choirs, strings and a fine solo. Here an intermediate with
atmosphere and Spoken Words, which almost already act as a Brigde,
contributes for a change. This break is very good, just like the
female vocals, when the number starts again. This is unfortunately
the only number which is not really predictable.
The end of
the album is also very nice when the last third of "Hestia" ends
with an atmospheric sound and epic male "monastery" tunes.
Otherwise, the change, which is quite present in the individual
songs, is generated mainly through the interludes or intros
regarding the technical side of it. Except for the last two pieces
you could play the whole thing without a break and it would seem as
if it was only one.
Production and mix are, as already
indicated above, very well done and put the music very well into the
scene. Musically the band is very far ahead and I am almost sure
that there will be even more variety at the next work. That Zornheym
can do that, they prove with the last two numbers.
Conclusion:
"Where Hatred Dwells And Darkness Reigns" is
symphonic dark metal, as you know it. Atmospheric, melodic, catchy
and even epic, it does not miss the necessary metallic hardness in
any moment. A perfect symbiosis of symphonic keyboard sounds and
hard guitars, which can convince with sawing riffs as well as with
melodious leads. The criticisms are complaining about first world
problems.
Rating: 8/10
Recommendation: Decessit Vita
Patris, Hestia
01. The Opposed
02. Subjugation Of The Cellist (Zwischenspiel)
03. A Silent God
04. Prologue To A Hypnosis (Intro)
05.
Trifecta Of Horrors
06. And The Dakness Came Swiftly (Intro)
07. Whom The Night Brings
08. Decessit Vita Patris
09. Hestia
Bendler - Vocals
Zorn - Guitars
Scucca - Guitars
TBA –
Bass
Angst - Drums
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Author: Thomas
Translator: Sereisa