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

Zornheym - Where Hatred Dwells And Darkness Reigns (EN)

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

Tracklist

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

Lineup

Bendler - Vocals
Zorn - Guitars
Scucca - Guitars
TBA – Bass
Angst - Drums

Information