Genre - Symphonic Black Metal
1.
Sorocul
3.
Vatra strămoşească
4.
Legea străbunilor
5.
Sub semnul lupului
6.
Sîmbăta apelor
7.
Nemuritor şi veşnic
8.
Înţeleptul întrupat
9.
În pîntecul pămîntului
10.
Pustnicul munţilor
11.
Înaripat şi împietrit
12. Venirea
Featuring one time vocalist
from NEGURA BUNGET’s last effort “Vîrstele Pămîntului”, SYN ZE SASE TRI are another
one of those acts with connections, albeit loose, from that small cluster of
atavistic and nature centred group that includes NEGURA, MARTOLEA and DOREDEDUH.
But that’s essentially where the comparisons cease as this group of Romanian’s
toil away at a rather more symphonic and accessible style of Black Metal that
is vastly distanced from the primitive atmospheric endeavours of their peers,
choosing to mould their sound around that exhibited by DIMMU BORGIR and
ANCIENT among others.
A swift dissection of the
cover tells you all you need to know about “Sub Semnul Lupului” really; on
first glance it’s rather impressive, detailed and vibrantly coloured but
typically full of the old clichéd CGI and wolves and warriors and all that
twaddle. Closer analysis reveals an album that could have been so much more,
one which often showcases brief flashes of brilliance unfortunately bogged down
with a multitude of genre-notorious clichés and stacks of untapped potential
for a hugely talented band. Given the rather awful name, which translates to “I’m
With Triple Six”, first impressions weren’t too hot and on the first run
through my opinion wasn’t exactly favourable.
The first half of the
album is mediocre at best really, by the book Symphonic Black Metal with the
keys and synths marauding around all over the place adding a ‘gothic horror’
type vibe which is the strongest aspect of the album and integral to their
sound. None of the songs really stand out and grab you by the throat though, yet
they threaten so much more. The guitar riffing is so flat and clinical, melo-death-esque
thick chugging riffs with no imagination or thought at all really put into them,
and at times it becomes comepletely overwhelmed by the keyboard infused blur
that it often descends into. The lead guitar is better though nothing awe-inspiring;
indeed it serves its purpose sufficiently without ever threatening much more.
It does have its pluses
though, the title track does begin with some interesting and moody Gregorian styled
chanting before commencing its faced paced symphonic assault and “Vatra Stramoseasca”
contains echoes of SEAR BLISS in its subtle use of brass which is no bad thing.
The dual vocals of Corb and Lycan are somewhat interesting and the deeper Death
growls add a welcome touch of brutality to a genre not otherwise renowned for
such, while you have the more typical high pitched Shagrath styled rasp
slotting in alongside.
It’s from the middle of
the album where it really shifts up a level altogether, notably in the acoustic
grandiosity of “In Pantecu Pamantului” which bears a remarkable affinity to
NOKTURNAL MORTUM’s “Sky of Saddened Nights” and is utterly enthralling in its
astral stroked melancholy. This significant shift in their musical focus I feel
is a direction they should delve into in the future, as these Romanian acts
have proved time and time again how fucking great they are at this style. “Inaripat
Sie Impietrit” continues this furrow of organic, introspective and atmospheric brilliance
with more focus on the ‘metal’ this time summoing crystalline visions of
freshly bloodied snow and the dwindling embers of a setting sun.
As it closes, I’m left so frustrated
that they didn’t choose to produce the whole album in this vein; it’s that
fucking good. Still, those in need of an acceptable dose of sugary Symphonic
Black Metal from the same furrows as CATAMENIA, ANCIENT and GRAVEWORM I would
say give it a shot, though the album's true power and grandiosity really doesn’t
begin to materialize until its far far too late, though the potential is there clearly
for all to see, it’s just what they decide to do with it next is the real question.
6/10
Sounds like - Catamenia, Ancient, Dimmu Borgir
Originally written for Metal Observer
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