Like all metal genres, black metal has its share of sub-genres born from bands combining elements of other genres into their audible output. Ask anyone who listens to black metal what its most renowned sub-genres are and you will most likely hear: symphonic, melodic or atmospheric. But one you might not hear is: gothic. Yes, bands combining the evil, occult ferocity of the black metal sound with the gloomy, vampiric, horror inspired melancholy of gothic rock and gothic metal.
This isn’t a new sub-genre, in fact many of black metal’s most famous bands have delved into the gothic side of things many times over the years, take Rotting Christ’s mid-90s albums or the early works of British band Reign of Erebus, Portuguese force: Moonspell, or Cradle of Filth at their blackest. And just like all sub-genres you have bands taking all kinds of approaches, which brings us to the speedy, borderline thrash of Atlanta based band, Cloak and their third studio album, Black Flame Eternal.
Of all the USBM bands who have wowed me in the decade I’ve been a music journalist, Cloak are up there as one who are leading the most notorious nation of the world on in the glory of black metal madness. What sets them apart is their devotion to horrific themes of death, the afterlife, the unknown and all types of occultism in a manner that is beautifully morose. Unlike the rawness of many contemporary USBM acts, Cloak stand out as musicians who combine the heart-wrenching horror of classic gothic music and literature with the harsh darkness of 90s black metal complete with thrashing speed.
So far this year we have seen other gothic black metal scoring well on the album circuit as Swedish force, Tribulation did on “Harmartia” a few months back. Though I think it would be unfair to compare Cloak to Tribulation as the Swedes celebrate the classic vampirism of Nosferatu and Bram Stoker whilst Cloak take a more contemporary approach in showing their love for modern gothic as we see on Black Flame Eternal.
Tunes like “Seven Thunders”, “Eye of the Abyss” and my personal favorite: “The Holy Dark” will have you feeling as if you’re being dragged into the deepest depths of hell even Dante would be too frightened to visit. With guitars and drums layered finely like an avalanche of fire and brimstone tumbling endlessly upon the human brain, this is a 50 minute journey into the deepest, darkest areas of the human psyche through the combination of the greatest contemporary music genres of the last 40 years.
If you are someone who likes gothic metal and black metal played at a fast tempo and remains dissonant with barely any melodies thrown in, Cloak have got you covered with this release. Expect to hear many good reviews about this album and the band in the coming months, and I sure do hope to see them live in concert one day.
(9/10 Demitri Levantis)
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