Ελληνικά
Last Updated on 02:23 PM by Lilliana Tseka
Narbeleth – Through Blackness and Remote Places
Genre: Black Metal
Country: Cuba
Label: Folter Records
Year: 2015
Caribbean metal, as a term, sounds almost a paradox, especially if it refers to black metal that comes from Cuba. Narbeleth is a one-man band, behind which lies Dakkar, and which band exists since 2008, and during the past 2 years has released a couple of full-lengths. Before receiving the promo version of this year’s third album, I was completely unaware of the group, even though it seems that it has stirred the waters beyond its country of origin, having even performed in the US. I did not expect much from such an outsider release, but “Through Blackness and Remote Places” managed to grasp my interest quite easily.
The band seems to satisfy the traditional, early 90’s musings of its creator, a fact clearly stated on the promo letter. Beyond that, this fact is also apparent, indirectly, through the existence of a Judas Iscariot cover (namely “Gaze Upon Heaven In Flames”), a band which never denied its admiration for this kind of sound. As a fact, the Cuban’s music touches masterfully upon Akhenaten’s own, which in its own was certainly a tribute to the golden era of Norway. Darkthrone-ish black metal, with themes that crave for the past, with an epic hue, which sculpt an atmosphere of imposing darkness. Melody is abundant, sharpening the album’s edges with mystical evocation. The speed spectrum follows on the Iscariot forms, ranging widely, while riffs, though they follow familiar compositional patterns, manage to sound notable and memorable. The production is dry, graced with a blurry depth, fitting perfectly the sound framework, while vocals could use a touch of diversity; as they are, they do sound a bit monotonous. Still, the album’s duration, slightly above 30 minutes, is fitting for the album, not letting it to become tiring, neither letting its flaws to stain the outcome.
“Through Blackness and Remote Places” is a surprising album, coming from a country with almost zero metal tradition, and is a worthy addition to the one-man black metal band corpus, having nothing to envy from other, more notorious groups. It is apparent that this is not a highly innovative record, something that never was Dakkar’s intention. Yet, it depicts a profound dedication to the lone path of traditional black metal, certainly satisfying this sound’s fans.
4/6
