Release on pro tape, red shell with 6 panel j-card
Finnish black metallers Chamber Of Unlight delivered their debut album on August 13th 202. Consisting of multiple super musicians, let us delve into what is on offer from this new entity.
A simple introduction begins our journey with a minimal ambience that is foreboding and yet secretive. Melodic riffs and blast beats soar into life with a triumphantly old school assault of pure Finnish black metal fire. The icy guitars meet a deep rumbling bass which is unusually rather present, giving the music a rich and heavy tone while the piercing vocals break through the tormenting instruments gloriously. Touched with a more dissonant flare momentarily, the riffs have a contemporary feel, yet they never stray from the 90s in their approach to writing these malevolent songs. Dancing with melodic lead work that adds so much grandiosity to the music, enveloped by a shimmering production that may not be polished but is certainly clear (“In The Nightside Eclipse by Emperor would probably be the most obvious comparison to mix, though with more bass presence), Chamber Of Unlight have a sound that is both beautiful and daunting, making the opening moments of their debut memorable and fierce, doing so with class.
Aside from the stripped back ferocity, we see glacial synths creep into things for a medieval atmosphere that is minimalist enough to avoid pompousness while adding another element to their sound. This plays off of immense grooving moments that will get any heads banging, proving black metal can and must still have the metal element at the core of the sound even when immersive to such great extents. The absoluteness of how well the atmosphere and direction of this record has been thought out is unmistakable. Perhaps something owing to the sheer experience of all involved and their renowned abilities in crafting true black metal experiences of epic proportions, nothing here feels neglected or victim to oversight, especially when referring to the magnificently textured ensemble of violent and diverse soundscapes.
There is a certain simplicity to the approach that has then been built upon the create something exquisite here. The idea of tremolo picked riffs over blast beats for example is nothing new, yet the sincerity here and the way in which such an eerie tapestry is woven is valuable and deserving of attentiveness. I think the presence of the bass, as mentioned before, gives the band a less “typical” sound for 90s worship and adds a marching viciousness to the record while not undermining the prowess of the guitars and occasional synths. Vocally, the delivery is exactly what one would expect yet doesn’t feel bland at all. The backbone is a monstrous drum performance from one of the Finnish undergrounds premier masters of the instrument, so to say the consistence and delivery of them is killer would be redundant. The birth of this new entity (at least in full length format) is a wondrous and exciting one that adds something sumptuous to the already teeming pool of talent in Finland.
A monumental debut of expansive yet traditional black metal that feels like a lost treasure of the 90s while not necessarily derivative of any specific band or trend, just devoted to the ancient flame of darkness. Catatonic atmospherics, battle-hardened melodic riffing and pure sonic decimation all live in harmony to conjure a vast and epic album of gloomy extremity.
Sample:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wdfdo-KLVTs&t=596s
