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"There's nothing quite like Nordic Black Metal, the type played by Immortal, Gorgoroth, and early Bathory. MASSEMORD can be counted among this icy fraternity, for with 'OBSCURA SYMPHONIA' the duo explores many facets of this unique form of Black Metal. 'Obscura Symphonia' begins with a short intro, 'Intro Obscura', which reminds me of the intro to Bathory's 'Hammerheart', before bursting into 'Burning the House of god', a straightforward piece of brutality with a juggernaut pace, frosty guitars, subdued keys, and demon-howled vocals. 'Breeding Hate' begins with a sardonic beating of drums and scintillating keys, then breaks down into a mid-paced composition in which the guitars simmer and the drums are unleashed to create cacophonous resonance. 'Slaughter of christ' opens with a slaughter, literally, and then settles into an atmosphere of bristling animosity that's so frigid it's uncanny, even the up-front keys are cold. 'Warriors of Darkness' shows the band transitioning from brutality to controlled wrath: the song's pace slows down, the drums establish a variety of rhythms, the guitars settle into sustained riffs, the electronic effects are enhanced, and the vocals gurgle and hiss. After a short interlude titled 'Cold Eternal Sleep' (blowing winds accompanied by a weeping acoustic guitar and keys) comes 'My Soul Belongs to the Night', which places the keyboards out front, establishes a relentless percussive outburst, and includes some Nordic-styled choruses. Another interlude, 'Hordes of Lucifer' (Gorgoroth-type screams and howls) follows, from which spawns the title track, another slow-paced composition that emphasizes despondent atmosphere and eccentric rhythms. The CD comes with a bonus track, 'The Sound of Desperation', which at close to 13 minutes pays homage to atmospheric Black Metal masters Burzum. Fans of Nordic Black Metal would do well to heed the call of 'Obscura Symphonia'." |
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