Dark Sanctuary from France are one of the original purveyors and legends of dark atmospheric music scene. Now, thanks to Avantgarde Music, they release their brand new full length opus, and this is the first one in fourteen years. The title of the album means a lot. Cernunnos is an ancient Gaulish god who symbolized cycle of nature, from birth to death, thus symbolizing the death and re-birth of Dark Sanctuary. This new opus contains eleven songs of beautiful dark ambiental atmospheric music. This borders between dark wave and neoclassical with such excellent and beautiful female vocals which vary from chanting to delivering almost opera dramatic melodies thus adding to the already dramatic orchestration and songwriting. This is indeed music which takes you as a listener to the whole another level, some other dimension, when you open your heart and ears and listen to this beautiful album. My personal favorites on this one would be ‘Yksin’, ‘Mater Oceanum’ and ‘Asphodele’ but as I turn and listen to this opus over and over again I hear in some songs what I didn’t hear upon previous listening so that is another plus for this excellent opus. Great, great album!
Damn City are hailing from Bologna area, Italy and this is their new three song EP. This EP is dedicated to Bob Marley with title song being cover of Marley’s powerful anthem and done in crossover, mixture of rap and hardcore way. This new rendition made this old school fight anthem more powerful and street vibe smart, mixing reggae with hardcore and rap. ‘Skorpio Haze’ is more of a rap song with more electronica in the song structure and less guitar oriented, but sounding at the same time powerful and cleverly using samples and sounding street smart and mystical at the same time. ‘Gli Occhi Della Sfinge’ is a remix sounding powerful and this little release is the choice if you are into this kind of music.
Spanish doom metallers Ikarie are back with new sophomore opus. The six piece doom/post metallers’ second opus is out with Avantgarde Music. As the band states this is continuation of the story told on their debut album ‘Cuerpos En Sombra’ two years ago. But, this one speaks thematically of anger, burning rage, victims burning metaphysically and literally fire and starting from new beginnings, whether not knowing or knowing they are in fact victims. This opus contains ten songs, with couple of them serving as instrumental intermezzos, preparing for the next storm ahead. Music of Ikarie is rawer and dirtier version of doom metal with thundering distorted bass, raw guitars, sludgy atmosphere and raw, anguished vocals bordering on death growls. But, there are couple of excursions into post metal waters, especially in guitar department, but there are also couple of melancholic great melodies to emphasize anguish and despair, like in fantastic ‘La Sed’ which is, along with ‘Surcos(Cituat Morta)’ and ‘Santa Sangre’ my personal favorite on this opus. I would love to hear this one performed live, I am sure these guys deliver wall of despair and guitar doom that makes goosebumps upon my skin. Great second opus by Spaniards.
KRAYKULLA-WEBZINE 