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Satyricon: Satyricon
18/10/13 || Cobal
They say that when a band release an homonymous album it is supposed to be the most representative record of their career by including the core staples of their sound. With that regard, I’d say this is probably a clear statement of how Satyr and Frost see and understand their own work. Not that their fans will necessarily agree…
To me, there are basically three eras in the history of Satyricon: First, there’s the time when they released the two classic works “Dark Medieval Times” and “Shadowthrone”. They both were very close to what today we know as pagan. Second there’s the more traditional black metal era when they met almost every element that’s now considered as a must in the black art, and when they released what is their best work for many: “Nemesis Divina”. Finally, you get their black rock era, ever since they released “Volcano” and “Now Diabolical”, in which they go for simple yet groovy riffs and more direct songs.
It’s true that “Satyricon”, the album, has evidence of the three eras above described, and it also encompasses a couple improvements that did delight me, but I’m sure their tr00 fans won’t fancy as much. But first what’s first: In songs such as “Nocturnal Flare” and “Natt” you get to hear that dark and melancholic metal that made Satyricon what they are in the first place. Then there’s also more traditional themes such as “Walk upon the wind” and “Ageless Northern Spirit”, in which you can feel the black vibe everywhere. Finally, there’s also some rock moments such as in “Nekrohaven”. Sounds good? YES, SIR!
However, I reckon not everyone will enjoy Satyricon’s latest incursion to another music genre: doom metal. Indeed, the whole album is mid-paced to slow –with some eventual speed ups – and the atmosphere is rather deep. But if one is to listen to this duo playing doom metal shamelessly, I strongly recommend you check out “Phoenix”, the fifth track in the album and the one in which these guys happily had the collaboration of the Norwegian rock singer Sivert Høyem. I’ll tell you these: it’s officially one of my favorite songs ever.
Now, how about the cons? Well, I suppose the fans won’t appreciate what they’ll probably call lack of consistency. Summarizing the career of such an important band in the world of black metal ain’t no easy task. Me, if you read Global Domination on a regular basis you probably know already that I’m always complaining about lack of variety in most of the works I review. That’s something “Satyricon”, the album, has in sufficient amounts. But that’s just me.
All in all, this is a pretty awesome record. I’m sure if you listen to it not expecting to listen – not only, that is – trve black metal, you’ll dig into it. If anything, I wish “Satyricon” finally moved on and had more songs of the likes of “Phoenix”, although I don’t see that happening.
- Information
- Released: 2013
- Label: Roadrunner Records
- Website: www.satyricon.no
- Band
- Satyr: vocals, guitars, bass, keyboards
- Frost: drums
- Tracklist
- 01. Voice of Shadows
- 02. Tro og kraft
- 03. Our World, It Rumbles Tonight
- 04. Nocturnal Flare
- 05. Phoenix
- 06. Walker upon the Wind
- 07. Nekrohaven
- 08. Ageless Northern Spirit
- 09. The Infinity of Time and Space
- 10. Natt
