HEART OF THE AGES

One of the best intelligent atmospheric metal albums that I know was logically recorded in Norway. The music is experimental and sophisticated but you can say that black metal and doom metal have had the largest influence on the band. This album documents young lads being rooted in the contemporary black metal but willing to step out of their comfort zone. Other future albums would leave the black metal area almost completely.

Playing is a bit better than a usual black metal band (black metal bands were considered least technical among metal bands). Guitars conjure doomy atmosphere mainly by providing sinister black metal riffing and some accessible guitar solos. Drumming is quite versatile from speedy black metal blasts to heavy/progressive metal drumming with a good variety and with little decoration. Keyboards are wisely used. I don't like shrieks and thankfully they are sparingly used. Clean female vocals shine and suit the music well, they help build mournful folk metal atmosphere. Male vocals are average. Having mainly instrumental music allows for better immersion.

The first song is sinister and dramatic from its beginning by using appropriate keyboard sounds. The slow pace brings certain depression underlined by serious guitar chords. The black metal attack comes in the second part only accompanied by male shrieks and nice black metal guitar solo.

"Heart of the ages" is more sterile track with quite steady drumming but still ominous black metal guitars and clean vocals which helps escape the depression of the first track. The dreamy keyboard part with acoustic guitar and electronic beat confirms the revolutionary approach of the band back in 1995. "In the Woods" has progressive metal traits, especially in its instrumental beginning until ruined by shrieks. Great black metal riffs save these moments with drumming variety, though. It's one of my popular sections on the album due to combination of darkness and progressivity. Also, initial progressive metal spirit is shortly transformed into black metal to shift into bleaking doom metal. The guitar chords in the end are stunning and so dark.

The only acoustic track with organ and keyboards and female vocals is refreshing and balances between folky and doom metal, something that Green Carnation would perfect on their debut album.

"Wotan's return" is a marvellous track pure of darkness and eagerness. Blasts and flashes coming to the dark forest... You should listen to this track when you are deep in the forest to see the atmospheric difference ;). The track evolves constantly and doom/black metal are combined seamlessly. "Pigeon" is an atmospheric piano track.

This is a brilliant metal album to be recommended to any open-minded listener.