I’ve spoken in the past about how I dislike the whole thought process of catchy is lame or false, it’s simply not the case. Music is there to be enjoyed and as pathetic as it sounds sometimes that means I just want to kick back with some easily digested Metal be it Black, Death or Power. I’m all for the sonic torment of Grind or War Metal but equally I just like to get stuff stuck in my head sometimes.
Today we head to Sweden for a Black Metal mainstay with Dark Funeral, which could arguably be the most ‘Metal band name generator’ name of all time, but their music is classic and overall I’m a big fan. Be it the striking debut The Secrets Of The Black Arts or the later Where Shadows Forever Reign I feel like the band embody well written Black Metal. Speaking of their previous effort too I’m a great fan of the new vocalist Heljarmadr. He really brings a fresh edge to the band, but can he keep things afloat in the bands new full length We Are The Apocalypse.
Nightfall crashes in with huge sonic Black Metal force. Atypically mainstream in tone but none the less impactful and enjoyable. Sure, this brand of easily palatable Black Metal might not be to everyone’s tastes but for me the crisp production and catchy hooks are a total winner. On the back of this is the sluggish monster that is Let The Devil In, it’s crushing, memorable and probably one of my favourite Dark Funeral songs to date. There is a very Dimmu Borgir feel to it and I’m totally cool with it. The less rampant tracks actually appear to be Dark Funeral’s new found strength as is displayed in When I’m Gone. Again, it’s certainly not winning any ‘kvlt of the year’ awards but its damned good Metal might.
When the album shifts back to a faster pace with Beyond The Grave I’m still captivated but still not quite as blown away as prior tracks. There is certainly still a heap of solid song writing but some of the sound gets lost amid the standard Black Metal formula. Frankly the second half of the record simply falls apart a bit, it sticks to a strong but tiresome pattern, one that’s been replicated time and time again. Whilst memorable much of the music is lost in the fray which is a great shame because the moments where the album shines are some of the best the band has produced.
Overall a pretty good but mixed bag from these Black Metal titans. I still firmly believe that this latest incarnation of the band is for the best. Certainly the album continues well in the wake of Where Shadows Forever Reign. Don’t come here expecting anything that is going to be kvlt or trve though. It’s very much a ‘my first Black Metal album’ but that’s okay and actually that is testament to just how good Dark Funeral are and continue to be, if you’re new to Black Metal then give this a shot.
(8/10 George Caley)
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