Ελληνικά
Last Updated on 01:20 AM by Giorgos Tsekas
Genre: Black Metal
Country: Norway
Label: Soulseller Records
Year: 2016
After 12 years of an almost all-encompassing non-existence, most of us had given up on Norway’s Ancient, who, after their first two exceptional albums followed a qualitatively tumultuous course, which came to an end with 2004’s pretty good “Night Visit.” I personally consider the band a nice example of lost potential, which, due to some erroneous moves (and a bit of poor luck) was derailed off a promising course, which could certainly be more sonorous – “Mad Grandiose Bloodfiends” was the worst thing the band could release in 1997. Be it as it may, this year, without much ado, Ancient’s seventh full-length was released.
Those who are familiar with the Norwegians’ past creations, will find themselves in well-trodden paths. Here dominate melodic guitars, as well as the somewhat excessive yet passionate voice of Aphazel, both moving in rhythm tempos that scale the range between mid-tempo and blasting. Keyboards were a companion to Ancient throughout most of their career, and they are also present here, as a graceful and elegant – if somewhat mellow, occasionally – presence. Structure-wise, simplicity reigns, something, that like it or not, was always characteristic of the band’s music. Several of the album’s flowing riffs seem to have been hatched from “The Cainian Chronicle” era, implementing some of the sweeping emotionality and atmosphere that was Ancient’s trademark back in the days. Without reaching this era’s genius, tracks like “The Empyrean Sword” and “The Awakening,” retain a sound and an arsenal of riffs that is extremely pleasing to those fond of ’90s melodic black metal. The problem, however, lies with most of the other riffs, those that do not follow the aforementioned formula, but tend to be a host of rhythmic and rather repetitive mid-tempo guitar mannerisms, as well as with some mediocre attempts at soloing (“The Sempiternal Haze”). Ancient tried to grant diversity to a pretty long creation (clocking at 65 minutes), yet ended up with several of the songs being rather monotonous and not particularly inspired.
As much as I want to rejoice with the return of a group for which I have a special affection, the truth is that “Back To The Land Of The Dead” is a pretty uneven album, which would rather be released as an EP of half its duration, sans the unnecessary compositional stretching. At its current form, the album is mostly targeted towards Ancient’s veteran listeners, due to its including certain moments that are bound to be carriers of nostalgic satisfaction.
3/6
