Carach Angren - Lammendam (2008)

 I'll admit it. I can be one of those "judge a book by it's cover" type of listeners. When it comes to black metal, if I'm in the mood for something specific, I can be a sucker for a cool image. Carach Angren LOOKS like a band I would be super into. High concentration on image and concept albums makes me think, okay, I'll give it a try, and I did, with their 2015 album. Bad choice. I can't stand it. Lammendam is a stark contrast. This is a great fucking album.

     What initially turned me off about Carach (on their later albums, I mean) wasn't the exact idea of concept albums, it was the over-applied technique of breaking off into story telling. Which, I get it, it's totally their thing. I think it's a cool concept. Lammendam's use of the breakaways enhances the listening experience. The low that exists between ultimate symphonic black metal to sing-songy concept story telling is complementary. What I mean is, the art of their musical abilities isn't lost behind an overuse of  "story time". Lammendam shows that the members of Carach, without a doubt, have an undeniable talent at composing and performing multi-leveled arrangements. If you're underwhelmed by their later albums and looking to give them another chance like I was, 100% this album delivers. It's a shame they didn't stick with this ratio in their songs. I'm sure it makes for a better live show... maybe.

Dimmu Borgir - In Sorte Diaboli (2007)

     If it's possible for a band to hit an apex twice in their career, Dimmu Borgir conquered that exact feat with this highly evolved symphonic album "In Sorte Diaboli".

     Though throughout the years, Dimmu have always proven to consistently evolve their sound and production quality, "In Sorte Diaboli" did not come without criticism from long time fans. Many considered the album to be significantly less symphonic than it's predecessors, and it certainly doesn't measure up to the gritty, more lyrically complex albums such as Stormblast or Enthrone Darkness Triumphant. It's not unknown for black metal fans to hiss and jeer at even the thought of a band taking a different creative approach to a new album. However, it's this metalheads humble opinion that the cleaner production quality and more streamlined approach to their songs and their order are what make "In Sorte Diaboli" such a beautiful album.

     One of Dimmu's most revered and most live played songs, The Serpentine Offering come from this album, and it holds a heavier orchestral presence that, from a creative standpoint, sets the tone for the entire album. Although Dimmu certainly took this concept album and attempted to perhaps appeal to a larger, more commercial audience, listening from a place where you can understand the evolution of music and their performers, In Sorte Diaboli is an energetic, memorable album. 

Carach Angren - Ethereal Veiled Existence (2005)

     I was skeptical about doing a review for an EP, but I figured if I would do one, it would be Ethereal Veiled Existence. Are you ready for another concept collection? Yeah, I thought so. 

     This is a great collection of songs. Well produced, and not overly symphonic, which can get to be a bit tedious if you're not used to it.  There is an even balance of grainy guitar leads complimented by keyboard. A bit heavier, vocally, than what modern Carach albums give us, but for me, it gives a much more fulfilling haunting/evil feel, which ties into the entire concept of the album, which revolves around the ghost that supposedly haunts Raynham Hall in Norfolk, England.
     This is actually a really cool album for anyone who likes to dig a little deeper into the actual story behind an album. The lyrical approach takes the perspective of the ghost and their identity, those who lived in the mansion, and even the photographers of the infamous staircase entity. An amazing lyrically illustrative concept that we see Carach evolve with in their later albums.
 

Dimmu Borgir - Enthrone Darkness Triumphant (1997)

     I remember having a conversation with a friend who refereed to one of their favorite albums as being the "apex" of the bands career. With the release of "Enthrone Darkness Triumphant", Dimmu Borgir established themselves securely in the genre of symphonic black metal and it's legions. The album brings out what's great about symphonic black metal in that it gives us a, subjectively speaking, prettier, more musically enjoyable version of what was Emperor era black metal. The album presents itself as a turning point for the band, where it becomes the sound the Dimmu is known for today. Production wise, for black metal, Enthrone would be considered top notch, as it allows the album to still remain dark and broody, but not overly produced and leaving melodies inaudible. 

     There are a few songs that stick out to me on this album, but all in all, the entire album flows smoothly, each song complimenting the one before it. The entire album gives an ethereal atmosphere, something new and exciting for Dimmu as a whole, thanks to their different approach to keyboard use for the album than it's predecessors. I often recommend Spellbound and Mourning Palace to people who may have never heard black metal before or who are looking to get into the genre.