SETHERIAL ENDTIME DIVINE
Regain Records North America/The End Records - 2003
By Rodrigo Escandon
The latest offering from the black metal group Setherial is an excellent album that combines the sound and roots from the black metal past and it is updated with a clear and powerful production (courtesy of Tommy Tagtgren at Abyss Studios who also made Marduks last album sound just as good as this one) that makes Endtime Divine sound huge and epic. Plus, at no time does Setherial let up on the relentless aural assault with all 9 of their songs clearly marking that this album is not intended for the weak or like their black metal to sound more melodic or symphonic.
Blast beats and double bass drumming is the norm throughout and at no time does it sound repetitive or boring. The production enhances the sound to make the drums sound absolutely powerful, booming and thunderous. They truly sound like you are in a middle of a storm. The drumming is really the thing that stuck out first and what carries the album.
The guitars are sharp, fast and just as unrelenting as the drums. Their sound remind me of some other black metal releases of this year like the new Naglfar but with less melody. However, with some great riffs in songs like The Night of All Nights, Subterranean and Crimson Manifestation, one will immediately forget those comparisons, as this album clearly stands on its own.
The pace of the album is frantic and non-stop except in songs where there is a slow part such as in The Underworld. Otherwise, this album grabs you by the throat and will not let go. What would be interesting, is if the band will employ so more of those tempo changes because at repeated listens the same pace found in all the album may be boring with subsequent listens.
Endtime Divine is a very good release that is stronger as a whole rather than by the individual songs. It will provide 43 minutes of enjoyment right now but how often it will stay on my rotation as well as how it will stand the test of time is how this album will be ultimately judged by. That has not been a problem with their classic Nord which still stands as Setherials best album.
The End Records Website
Regain Records Website
Setherial Official Website
Regain Records North America/The End Records - 2003
By Rodrigo Escandon
The latest offering from the black metal group Setherial is an excellent album that combines the sound and roots from the black metal past and it is updated with a clear and powerful production (courtesy of Tommy Tagtgren at Abyss Studios who also made Marduks last album sound just as good as this one) that makes Endtime Divine sound huge and epic. Plus, at no time does Setherial let up on the relentless aural assault with all 9 of their songs clearly marking that this album is not intended for the weak or like their black metal to sound more melodic or symphonic.
Blast beats and double bass drumming is the norm throughout and at no time does it sound repetitive or boring. The production enhances the sound to make the drums sound absolutely powerful, booming and thunderous. They truly sound like you are in a middle of a storm. The drumming is really the thing that stuck out first and what carries the album.
The guitars are sharp, fast and just as unrelenting as the drums. Their sound remind me of some other black metal releases of this year like the new Naglfar but with less melody. However, with some great riffs in songs like The Night of All Nights, Subterranean and Crimson Manifestation, one will immediately forget those comparisons, as this album clearly stands on its own.
The pace of the album is frantic and non-stop except in songs where there is a slow part such as in The Underworld. Otherwise, this album grabs you by the throat and will not let go. What would be interesting, is if the band will employ so more of those tempo changes because at repeated listens the same pace found in all the album may be boring with subsequent listens.
Endtime Divine is a very good release that is stronger as a whole rather than by the individual songs. It will provide 43 minutes of enjoyment right now but how often it will stay on my rotation as well as how it will stand the test of time is how this album will be ultimately judged by. That has not been a problem with their classic Nord which still stands as Setherials best album.
The End Records Website
Regain Records Website
Setherial Official Website
