Neglektum is a Swedish duo formed in 2008 in Västerås. They released a demo in 2009, Beyond the Frozen Mist; now their first full-length is out. So, what do these two guys from the city on the shore of Lake Mälaren propose? In the biography I received, the band defines its music as “triumphant Black Metal from the depths of the abyss”.
It is actually a good raw black metal that harks back to the classics of the Swedish tradition, especially Dissection and Watain, but I think that also a more underground band like Ofermod has influenced the duo from Västerås. Although several blast beats are scattered around the album, I do not think that speed is the fundamental characteristic of this band; the main features of their black metal are the slower and more powerful tempos. The opener “Blasphemer” is a good example; it is also the longest song and shows a good variation when it comes to insert an acoustic arpeggio and blue-toned chords followed by a well performed solo.
Neglektum also know how to create melodies and this is evident not only from the aforementioned “Blasphemer”, but also from “Salvation”, acoustic, instrumental song, and “Dies Irae pt. 1”, a short piano intro to “Dies Irae pt. 2”. The production could have been better with a more qualitative sound; it must also be said that, given the genre, the raw production could be intentional. The guitar sounds vaguely reminiscent of Dissection.
Unfortunately, the band decided not to share the texts with the undersigned, so I will not be able to write about them, as is my usual. From what I can guess by reading the biography, I think the lyrics are mainly about Satanism and blasphemy.
A big originality is not to be found in this album but it slips by nicely when listening to it. The composition of the songs is excellent, the riffs are harsh and the arrangements are good; something I would like to place emphasis on is that solos are well performed and not banal, even though not virtuosic, which is apparently not obvious for underground bands. A good release.
Notes:
Blasphemer was released on February 25, 2014 on Goathorned Productions.
It is actually a good raw black metal that harks back to the classics of the Swedish tradition, especially Dissection and Watain, but I think that also a more underground band like Ofermod has influenced the duo from Västerås. Although several blast beats are scattered around the album, I do not think that speed is the fundamental characteristic of this band; the main features of their black metal are the slower and more powerful tempos. The opener “Blasphemer” is a good example; it is also the longest song and shows a good variation when it comes to insert an acoustic arpeggio and blue-toned chords followed by a well performed solo.
Neglektum also know how to create melodies and this is evident not only from the aforementioned “Blasphemer”, but also from “Salvation”, acoustic, instrumental song, and “Dies Irae pt. 1”, a short piano intro to “Dies Irae pt. 2”. The production could have been better with a more qualitative sound; it must also be said that, given the genre, the raw production could be intentional. The guitar sounds vaguely reminiscent of Dissection.
Unfortunately, the band decided not to share the texts with the undersigned, so I will not be able to write about them, as is my usual. From what I can guess by reading the biography, I think the lyrics are mainly about Satanism and blasphemy.
A big originality is not to be found in this album but it slips by nicely when listening to it. The composition of the songs is excellent, the riffs are harsh and the arrangements are good; something I would like to place emphasis on is that solos are well performed and not banal, even though not virtuosic, which is apparently not obvious for underground bands. A good release.
Notes:
Blasphemer was released on February 25, 2014 on Goathorned Productions.
| Tracklist: 1. Blasphemer 2. Infernal Declaration of Hate 3. Begotten Son (Forgotten) 4. Salvation 5. Babalon 6. Death's Curse 7. Dies Irae Pt. 1 8. Dies Irae Pt. 2 | 08:52 04:36 06:43 02:46 04:38 04:17 00:52 04:59 37:43 |
Personnel:
Isedor - Bass, Drums
Azargoth - Guitars, Vocals
Isedor - Bass, Drums
Azargoth - Guitars, Vocals
Text by Herjann
herjann@unholyblackmetal.com
herjann@unholyblackmetal.com