metalhead gallery

Genre: Black Metal

Metal Archives Rating: 88%

1. 49 Evil Spirits
2. Down in Blaze and Pain
3. Chant IX
4. The Malicious Eye
5. IIIIII
6. Chant XI
7. Thy Baptism
8. Gloria Satanae
9. Nameless Rebellious

Download at Mediafire
Too kvlt for Myspace
Reviews!

--------------------------------------------------------

Take note, this is not your average black metal album, so check this review out before you download it just so you know what’s coming. The main thing I want to draw your attention to is the high-pitched, falsetto operatic vocals. Now, this may not seem like your conventional understanding of black metal vocals, but on this album, it fits beautifully into place. The first time I listened to Gloria Satanae, I was bewildered. I didn’t know what to think. It took some time, but I soon grew to love these vocals and the music that accompanied them.

The vocalist has phenomenal range; as already stated, there are the falsetto vox, but along with those comes a gutting guttural and mid range shrieks. All three are crafted around the excellent songwriting to make for a rather pleasant listening experience. Similar to that Walknut album I posted, this record also has that full-sounding guitar tone, which draws the listener in for more, not letting go. Probably the most prominent feature on Gloria Satanae is how sad all the songs sound. Looking at it from a purely technical standpoint, there are quick riffs, furious drumming, and chaotic vocals, yet these LLN-rumored folks manage to create an air of melancholy that surrounds their music. You can’t help but feel tragically saddened by Arkha Sva’s music – it exudes an “end of the world” vibe that brings figurative tears to your eyes.

A wonderfully crafted album, way up there in my books, so long as you can get past the vocals and learn to accept (then love) them.

GET IT.