“Im Reich der Schatten” (In the Kingdom of Shadows) is Sekora’s second album. A weighty intro “Einbruch der Dunkelheit” (Nightfall) suggests a symphonic experience, and there is that, but a slightly unsatisfactory downturn takes us into the realms of melodic black metal, or to be more accurate to its title, into the kingdom of shadows. If that transition wasn’t so satisfactory, for the next 60 minutes we are treated to as intensive an experience as you can imagine. “Die Nachtigall” (The Nightingale) is a fine example of the fast and fluid song structures in which Sekoria evidently specialise. Always dark, at times shadowy and rising to epic heights, that makes fluid black metal irresistible. It’s rounded off with a symphonic explosion but ultimately it’s black metal, and by the time we get to “Wesen der Zeit” (Essence of Time) we’re into darker territory. Harsh as the vocals are, I sensed an element of storytelling here as we hit the turbulence of “Der Sturm den Ich Rief” (The Storm I Cried). The lyrics, which are in German, speak of winds, thunder, the sky tearing itself apart and the dawning of a new age in which nothing moves. But here on this album there is motion and a fiery intensity. My mind wandered briefly to comparisons and I came up with something between Dimmu Borgir, Endstille and Disbelief but frankly there’s no time for that, as we join the band in weathering the storms they are whipping up. Sekoria add interesting instrumental and stylistic touches. There’s even a short gothic section in “Canticum Maris”, but the ferocious power dominates and gets mixed with heightened melancholy on “Der Fall” (The Fall). “Thron aus Eis” (Throne Made of Ice) matches “Die Nachtigall” with its invigorating black metal and sheer swathes of excitement.
“Im Reich der Schatten” blasts out in an uncompromising and relentless way, holding a direct course and hanging together while imperiously managing to capture stormy atmospheres and transforming images. That’s quite an achievement. I revelled in this album.
(8.5/10 Andrew Doherty)
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