The Ruins of Beverast Unlock the Shrine
Battle Kommand Records BKR010 March 7th, 2006
By Jason Jordan
The Ruins of Beverast are from Germany, have ties to the disbanded Nagelfar, and have wormed their way onto Azentriuss (Nachtmystium, Twilight) Battle Kommand Records. A hearty helping of Germanic black metal that mirrors USBM on several counts is always welcome, especially this 70-minute disc, and Unlock the Shrine is, to put it bluntly, frightening and frighteningly good all at once.
Similar to a novel in which two characters alternate between chapters, their paths approaching each other as the climax nears, The Ruins of Beverast switch from black metal to haunting interludes which intertwine at times throughout the life of Unlock the Shrine. The influence of titans Leviathan, Lurker of Chalice, and Xasthur has apparently traversed the ocean, as this recording borrows many of USBMs trademarked elements fuzzed-up production, droning instrumentation, and unsettling nightmarish sounds. Im of the opinion that this full-length isnt as primitive as it might have you believe, the spot-on nuances of The Clockhands Groaning Circles contributing to my disbelief somewhat, in addition to the keyboard-driven interjections that are scarier than a Silent Hill soundtrack. During unnerving tracks like Procession of Pawns, its difficult to ward off the paranoia that the foreboding, invasive sounds of such ambient darkness fosters. Back at the grind, though, is Summer Decapitation Ritual, which fits alongside Twilights material nicely, though the former is more aggressive and predatory, rather than just plain sulky. The synth excerpts recall Summoning, and I cant help but appreciate this bands sense of groove-littered trance.
I dont know if Unlock the Shrine wouldve been as successful if The Ruins of Beverast hadnt included terrifying, electronic relief between caustic black metal episodes, but Id say that that product wouldnt be as effective, nor as exhilarating. Impatient listeners need not apply, however, with such emphasis placed on ambiance, though the results are still dismal no matter which kind of ammo TRoB utilize. Perhaps most surprising is the fact that this came from Germany, and not the U.S. Even so, Im glad Battle Kommand licensed this 2004 effort for U.S. distribution because von Meilenwald may just be Germanys future BM prizefighter.
8/10
UMs Review Rating Scale
Official Battle Kommand Records Website
Battle Kommand Records BKR010 March 7th, 2006
By Jason Jordan
The Ruins of Beverast are from Germany, have ties to the disbanded Nagelfar, and have wormed their way onto Azentriuss (Nachtmystium, Twilight) Battle Kommand Records. A hearty helping of Germanic black metal that mirrors USBM on several counts is always welcome, especially this 70-minute disc, and Unlock the Shrine is, to put it bluntly, frightening and frighteningly good all at once.
Similar to a novel in which two characters alternate between chapters, their paths approaching each other as the climax nears, The Ruins of Beverast switch from black metal to haunting interludes which intertwine at times throughout the life of Unlock the Shrine. The influence of titans Leviathan, Lurker of Chalice, and Xasthur has apparently traversed the ocean, as this recording borrows many of USBMs trademarked elements fuzzed-up production, droning instrumentation, and unsettling nightmarish sounds. Im of the opinion that this full-length isnt as primitive as it might have you believe, the spot-on nuances of The Clockhands Groaning Circles contributing to my disbelief somewhat, in addition to the keyboard-driven interjections that are scarier than a Silent Hill soundtrack. During unnerving tracks like Procession of Pawns, its difficult to ward off the paranoia that the foreboding, invasive sounds of such ambient darkness fosters. Back at the grind, though, is Summer Decapitation Ritual, which fits alongside Twilights material nicely, though the former is more aggressive and predatory, rather than just plain sulky. The synth excerpts recall Summoning, and I cant help but appreciate this bands sense of groove-littered trance.
I dont know if Unlock the Shrine wouldve been as successful if The Ruins of Beverast hadnt included terrifying, electronic relief between caustic black metal episodes, but Id say that that product wouldnt be as effective, nor as exhilarating. Impatient listeners need not apply, however, with such emphasis placed on ambiance, though the results are still dismal no matter which kind of ammo TRoB utilize. Perhaps most surprising is the fact that this came from Germany, and not the U.S. Even so, Im glad Battle Kommand licensed this 2004 effort for U.S. distribution because von Meilenwald may just be Germanys future BM prizefighter.
8/10
UMs Review Rating Scale
Official Battle Kommand Records Website
