Metalegion review

Black metal, especially that of the second wave, has always had a strong connection with obscure ambience, classical, or simply symphonic labyrinths. Many were the bands that explored different concepts, above all with a primacy in the conception of bleak atmospheres that coexisted in parallel with hypnotic ominous riffs and hellish screams. Mortiis, ex-bassist of Emperor, may have been one of the greatest boosters within the metal scene for an opening achieved on „Haudh' en’ Nirnaeth”, giving it a more technical and elaborate outlne. Everything is based on orchestrations of synthesisers and sequencers with obvious influences of both classical music and black metal in the vocals and atmospheres, the compositions are loaded with a nefarious atmosphere, that diverge between classical and symphonic elements with almost cinematographic contours and lyrics in Polish (increasing the austerity), which are either simply recited, screamed („Niemoc”), or in a guttural tone („Już Zmierzch”). Despite being something that understandably may not appeal to everyone, especialy less open-minded metal fans, through this album Nirnaeth manage to give a certain sense – if that’s possible – to the dark times in which we live, through a joumey to a forgotten past. Simply magical!