GOLDSTAR

When I think of black metal, I never really picture cities as a visage point. Usually I imagine dark, gloomy forests, snowy mountain tops, maybe even the occasional medieval weaponry. But New York? Now that's something different in the black metal sphere I never thought of, though a city could theoretically work. A concrete forest oftentimes can hide the cruelties of man just as well as a forest can. In a way, that's where Imperial Triumphant's newest release of Goldstar comes into play.

I knew of Imperial Triumphant from their 2022 release of Spirit of Ecstasy. I liked that album, but not enough for me to revisit it over and over again. However, I was pleasantly surprised the moment I heard Goldstar, as not only was it really good comparatively, it made me more interested in checking this band out more in the future.

I've never been the most huge on dissonant black metal, but I have always been quite in favor towards avant-garde metal, and hearing them combined is always quite a treat admittedly. Imperial Triumphant creates a storm of chaos through each of their chords and percussion-lines that range from Gorguts-like technicalities, to old school Ulver blackness. It is honestly really enjoyable for what it's worth, and adds a lot of weight to a pretty short album.

I also really enjoy the concept here, being an album based around the quote unquote 'sounds of New York as we hear them'. They take the ideas of metropolitan United States, and mashes the commercialism and constant ads of the city's skyline as a sort of occult-like nature. In an offshoot way, this album did release at a perfect time when you consider American politics. I know, I know, we're all tired of political nonsense, but hear me out. With America politics becoming more and more in favor towards the rich and wealthy, especially when we have a bumbling rich idiot in office, with a fascist wealthy brat who cannot make a car for God knows what right by his side, viewing these aspects of American greed and consumerism as a sort of cult wouldn't be too far off. I mean, what's too different from a Satanic cult in comparison to the diehard bigots who support our current president's every move?

I do think sometimes the execution of this concept can be a bit too hamfisty, like with the 'hail satan my child' part, and the entirety of the title track. Kind of wish they did more subtlety within the lyrical aspects. It's a really good concept, again, but I don't think the lyrics are the best aspect here. In fact I do think they're kinda the worst aspect on the record. Great concept musically and conceptually, but written on paper'it could use some work.

Safe to say, Goldstar is a gold star of a black metal record. It has a lot of things one can love from a good ol' bm album, and many more. I definitely say check it out, cause it's not only a really fun time, but certainly an album for a modern day America happening right now.

Best tracks: Eye of Mars, Gomorrah Nouveaux, NEWYORKCITY, Industry of Misery

Worst track: Goldstar

Social review comments

Review related links

• Send comments to Dapper~Blueberries
• Report this review (#3178607)
• Buy IMPERIAL TRIUMPHANT music online with PA partners
• Show all IMPERIAL TRIUMPHANT MP3/Stream
• Go to IMPERIAL TRIUMPHANT page for videos, full discography with ratings, reviews and much more
• Go to Goldstar page for more details, where to buy and ratings/reviews
• Search the Forum for IMPERIAL TRIUMPHANT related discussions