Emancer - Invisible
Golden Lake Productions - goldcd014 - 2004
By Philip Whitehouse
After the minor blip that was the European release of Luna Ad Noctum's underwhelming Dimness Profound album, British label Golden Lake Productions get back to doing what they've become known for - releasing quality black metal. This time it's the turn of Norwegian explorers into experimental grimness, Emancer, with their third full-length effort.
I'll throw this little factet out at the start of the review to save time later - yes, Emancer use programmed drums rather than a human drummer. But, before you all throw your spiked-armlet covered upper extremeties in the air and cry heresy, listen - they sound pretty good. No, really - the variation in the drum patterns makes them sound convincing enough, and although the snares sound a little weak, the general effect is pretty damned effective. So, now we've got that cleared up, how do Emancer sound? Well, kind of like a cross between the spacier, more tranced out moments of Mork Grymning cobbled together with Emperor-esque atmospherics, Dissection riffage and the odd touch of balls-to-the-wall rock and roll attitude. The latter is displayed at around the three minute mark of opening track 'Emancipation', with a riff that could easily slot into some modern mid-tempo thrash album.
Further oddball highlights include the pleasingly melodic, acoustic interlude in 'On Borrowed Time' that starts to recall Opeth's more reflective moments - before it suddenly gives way to a barrage of blastbeasts, acid-bath riffage and harsh, screamed vocals. Also worthy of mention is the near-ten-minute epic that is 'A Comedy Of Hunger', simply for the impressive feat the band have pulled off in keeping 9:46 of black metal varied, interesting and dynamic.
This release is a little less grim and atmospheric than their previous works, however, and fans of more traditional black metal may well be left a little cold by the increased reliance on more left-field influences, particularly the electronic space-voyages that crop up intermittantly. However, fans of more esoterically influenced BM should find this release to be right up their midnight forest clearing.
7.5/10
Emancer Official Website
Golden Lake Productions Website
Golden Lake Productions - goldcd014 - 2004
By Philip Whitehouse
After the minor blip that was the European release of Luna Ad Noctum's underwhelming Dimness Profound album, British label Golden Lake Productions get back to doing what they've become known for - releasing quality black metal. This time it's the turn of Norwegian explorers into experimental grimness, Emancer, with their third full-length effort.
I'll throw this little factet out at the start of the review to save time later - yes, Emancer use programmed drums rather than a human drummer. But, before you all throw your spiked-armlet covered upper extremeties in the air and cry heresy, listen - they sound pretty good. No, really - the variation in the drum patterns makes them sound convincing enough, and although the snares sound a little weak, the general effect is pretty damned effective. So, now we've got that cleared up, how do Emancer sound? Well, kind of like a cross between the spacier, more tranced out moments of Mork Grymning cobbled together with Emperor-esque atmospherics, Dissection riffage and the odd touch of balls-to-the-wall rock and roll attitude. The latter is displayed at around the three minute mark of opening track 'Emancipation', with a riff that could easily slot into some modern mid-tempo thrash album.
Further oddball highlights include the pleasingly melodic, acoustic interlude in 'On Borrowed Time' that starts to recall Opeth's more reflective moments - before it suddenly gives way to a barrage of blastbeasts, acid-bath riffage and harsh, screamed vocals. Also worthy of mention is the near-ten-minute epic that is 'A Comedy Of Hunger', simply for the impressive feat the band have pulled off in keeping 9:46 of black metal varied, interesting and dynamic.
This release is a little less grim and atmospheric than their previous works, however, and fans of more traditional black metal may well be left a little cold by the increased reliance on more left-field influences, particularly the electronic space-voyages that crop up intermittantly. However, fans of more esoterically influenced BM should find this release to be right up their midnight forest clearing.
7.5/10
Emancer Official Website
Golden Lake Productions Website
