Artist: Blackwinds
Label: Regain Records
Release: 2008
Here we have the second album this year from Sweden’s Blackwinds, which in an age of dismal album sales is nothing short of phenomenal. This time they went for a logo change and a truly impressive cover, painted by Watain frontman Erik Danielsson, who has undoubtedly left his mark with his distinctive drawing style.
On Flesh Inferno we get ten more or less fast Black metal gems, defined above all by their tempo and rhythm changes. You could file all the songs under somewhat more melodic Black metal, since every track has a melody that’s driven by guitar riffs and layered with keyboards on top. Unfortunately, the whole thing sounds a lot like Setherial, who have Lord Mysteriis (Hakan Sjödin) on drums, and so it loses points for creativity and innovation. Despite the similarity, though, the album doesn’t come off as a rip-off, since you only catch a few tendencies that remind you of what became established with bands like Setherial, Dark Funeral…
After the very first listen, the harmony on the album will probably surprise you, and, amazingly, it doesn’t sound sugary. Quite the opposite, Blawckwinds have proven that you can nail a proper Black metal atmosphere even with keyboards. The keys are gently pushed into the background and work as an occasional soundscape, and they’re not distracting at all, because they’re constantly drowned out by sharp, fairly high-tuned guitars that build a real curtain of darkness and rage. Adding even more to the gloom and malice are the loud, shrieking vocals, which you could call mid-high screams.
The other thing that sort of defines the album is the excellent drum transitions and the drumming in general. The arrangements Lord Mysteriis came up with are a challenge for any listener, since it’s nearly impossible to follow, let alone predict, a rhythm that’s constantly shifting. And not just the drums: you could say the whole rhythm section on Flesh Inferno is the cherry on top that you expect from this genre.
On top of all the qualities mentioned so far, the album can also boast an exceptionally good production, which doesn’t sound sloppy but makes the sound a bit more cutting and sharp, defining every single note and adding that typical evil sound that is so specific to Black metal.
In short, we can describe Flesh Inferno as a solid record from the Swedish branch of melodic Black metal, one that by no means shifts or sets any new boundaries for the genre. What the album lacks is a bit more freshness and an independent musical style, or some identity of its own. You get a good album with superb music and, at the same time, that familiar feeling: ”Where have I heard this before…”
Lineup
Infaustus – vocals
Lord Mysteriis – drums
Track list
1.Before Time (05:23)
2.Enter The Pandemonium (05:24)
3.Architecture Of Phantasmaghoria (05:42)
4.Flesh Inferno (04:48)
5.Plague Bringer (05:40)
6.Seraphim Ephemera (05:00)
7.Inquisition (06:22)
8.Crimson Thirst (07:30)
9.Conceptualizing The Devil (05:14)
Album length: 56:19
10. Quintessence Of Hell 05:16
