Search - Keep of Kalessin :: Agnen: A Journey Through the Dark

Whirlwind of Darkness

Michael E. Mitchell | Minocqua, WI USA | 09/17/2008

(5 out of 5 stars)

"If I hadn't already been a listener of KofK, I might be put off by the dorky "based on the 'Earthsea Quartet' fantasy novels" tag, but there is NOTHING dorky about this band! To those unfamiliar with their sound, it is quite trebly, with riffs (by certified mad genius and band leader Obsidian C) in the higher registers rather than the usual low-E based riffs that most bands employ, which along with the speed gives them a ripping "steamhammer" wall of sound. At first, this may sound "thin", but upon repeated listenings (and you will have to listen many times to pick up all the brilliant nuances of what is recorded here)you become accustomed to their signature sound, which you now realize is intentional. There is much that happens within the framework of this sound; triumphant and ominous classical themes appear, savage thrash attacks, and melodic guitar melodies are abruptly slaughtered by jackhammer guitar/drum explosions. Quite a few surprises erupt from the speakers, making the listener chuckle in gruesome appreciation, or simply say "whoooa" like Keanu Reeves! The drumming, by Vyl, is on a par with his one-time stand in Frost's (1349, Satyricon), and is a real treat for drum afficianados. The vocals on this are handled by Ghash, who is more similar in viciousness to Attila (from the must-have ep "Reclaim", also with Frost), than the current, more "palatable" vocalist. Ghash has a lower-end Black MeTal snarl, and has a pleasant habit of infrequently strangling himself while recording, apparently, for added flavour! The pace on this is almost entirely hyper-speed, though never gets boring. The final song, "Agnen", decays into a bleak repetetive dirge, but even that serves to set a mood, and never really lasts long enough to become "boring". Highly recommended for fans of Limbonic Art or more thoughtful-but-not-to-the-point-of-becoming-pretentious BM bands. Also see the cool artwork which transforms the band members into H.R.Geiger-esque creatures!"