### Alghazanth: Wreath of Thevetat

#### 08/11/11 || cadenz

Alghazanth, Finnish purveyors of mid-90’s black metal with synths. Not talking about Dimmu Borgir here, but rather Emperor’s “In the Nightside Eclipse” (though less chaotic) or Covenant’s “In Times Before the Light” (though more chaotic). “Wreath of Thevetat” (2008) is the outfit’s fifth album, and it is a mighty good one. The right atmosphere is certainly there, most riffs and melodies are of good quality and catchy as fuck, and the execution is passionate and tight. So what’s there to bitch about? Well, the production, while not bad, is a bit weak on the drums. The thin snare especially has no power whatsoever, while the kicks tend to take over the sound picture too much on fast double kick parts. With a re-mix this album would certainly be among the finer Finnish BM discs to be released during the last couple of years.

7.5/10: If you like atmospheric black metal, check this out. There’s melodies, melancholy and mystery enough for all trolls in the forest.