Black metal that isn't afraid to rock out
Above all else, heavy metal should rock. And while that archaic notion is simple enough, it is one that's often lost on bands plying the blackened end of the spectrum. Charnel Valley, however, understands this notion implicitly on The Igneous Race, creating stripped-down, grimey black metal that's just as likely to have you banging heads and cracking beers as it is to make you submit to the powers of eternal darkness.
Storming out of the gate with "Blacklist", Charnel Valley play black metal the way it was meant to be, violent and impetuous with absolutely no regard for listeners who might get trampled underneath their battering onslaught. The next song "January", continues the attack with some nifty dynamic shifts before things start getting more atmospheric on "Gray Twilight: A Traitor's Redemption". Later in the disc, the band begin to show their classic metal influences as "Endless War On The Bridge Between Worlds" showcases NWOBHM-esque guitar-work mixed with the vicious black metal approach and "The Wretched Ones" kicks off with a slow, groovy riff that wouldn't be out of place on any number of traditional doom albums. Closing track "Brigand" chugs along like a severely blackened Motorhead, further driving home the idea that Charnel Valley is one of those rare black metal bands that's totally unafraid to rock out.
The entire album is coated in a production that's as filthy as the music itself, but not in the typical black metal fashion. The guitars have a hefty mid-range tone, cutting through the music like a rusty circular saw as opposed to the usual ear-piercing treble so many black metal bands tend to employ. The drums have a pounding, natural sound and while the playing itself is nothing fancy, the bare-bones approach fits the music perfectly.
On The Igneous Race, no-frills, rocking black metal is the name of the game. Charnel Valley don't make any attempts to redefine or reinvent the genre, but in this case, that's a great thing. Fans of latter-day punk-fueled Darkthrone take heed, your new masters have arrived.
| Reviewer: Josh Haun Added: December 12th 2007 |
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