Arcturus -“Aspera Hiems Symfonia”
Well considering this was released first by ANCIENT LORE CREATIONS, for some reason CENTURY M. re-released this album probably for the fact that it contains a line up of some well known black metal artists. I will not mention the artists because you should by this release for the music, not because of the members. No doubt this release will be filed under the category black metal. Not to say that this has nothing to do with black metal, but it’s more than just that. Sure, the voice is black metal, but for example, the first song, “To Thou Who Dwellest In the Night”. The CD begins and you will hear that typical fast-speed drumming and the BATHORY like voice. But you will also hear a strong, atmospheric, moody background of keyboard-like- synthesizer-special-sound-effect that actually takes away from the raw sound of black metal. Then in the second half of the song, you hear acoustic guitars and chanting along with slow doomy music. Actually, the background effect that I’m talking about is the strongest and the most distinguishable part of this bands music. This is not speed freak black metal, like DARKTHRONES, “Under A Funeral Moon”, rather this is music that is influenced by black metal and definitely classical. In fact if you like PARADISE LOST, “Gothic” and DARKTHRONES, “A Blaze In…”, you will like this. But remember: you are getting both sides of the coin here. Personally, I find this to be a good attempt at getting away from expected formulas about death, doom, and black metal. Check this out for sure!