Limited Digipak CD edition, limited to 300 copies, 8-page booklet with restored artwork and lyrics.
The long-lost debut of Twin Obscenity is back!
“Where Light Touches None” returns from the battlefield, ready to conquer once more!
Originally unleashed in 1997, this brutal slab of Norwegian Melodic Black/Death Metal fuses icy melodies with relentless aggression. A true underground classic, now finally reborn.
Limited Digipak CD edition, limited to 300 copies, 8-page booklet with restored artwork and lyrics.
Twin Obscenity’s – Where Light Touches None – is a very strong offering of simple blackish/death metal (more death), especially with it being their first full-length album. Each song taken individually is stronger than the album as a whole. That is not saying that this is a bad album, it is far from that, it just means it could have been pieced together slightly better. Still, with everything the album has to offer it is hard to complain.
The opening track Dark Millenium’s End sets the tone for basically the rest of the album. It opens up with a strong (simple) riff, has great-varied vocals, and is a good example of Knut’s skill with the drums. There is nothing overly technical with what he does, but that is not to say that he is an unskilled drummer. This whole album basically reflects this. For the most part they offer up a slab of great mid-paced riffs, great drumwork, very nice varied growls, and even a good female vocalist whom is rarely used. When it comes to the utilization of keyboards Twin Obscenity is unmatched (well at least on how they should be implemented). When the keyboards are used, which is not often, they are used wisely. Hell Twin Obscenity even finds a great narrator in Vegar Hoel for Tribute to Mortality. One of the few narrators I don’t have to wince at when he comes in. I’m still not a huge fan of the narrators, but I haven’t found a better one yet.
Dark Millenium’s End – A catchy opener that I previously mentioned.
When the Chains are Broken – Other than the chorus there is nothing else in this song that really stands out. Some great screams though and one of the few guitar solos thrown in on the album. Still a good song.
Enchanted by the Empress’ Beau – After what originally seems like a slightly awkard start you get into one of the better songs on the album. The vocals here are at their finest. One of the best black metal vocalists I’ve heard and he matches the music perfectly and with impeccable timing. This is black metal vocals in the finest. And the brief duo of Tonje and whomever is doing the male clean vocals is just plain awesome. One of the more varied songs on the album.
Like the Death of a Sorceress – One of my favorite songs on the album. Catchy as hell and you can’t help but yell out “Like the Death of a Sorceress.” It is also one of the fastest songs on the album, but that isn’t saying a whole hell of a lot.
Tribute to Mortality – A great example of what a narrator should sound like if one has to be used. This song also has the best death growls performed on the album.
The Infernal Dance of Prince K – In the 30-40 second range I’m reminded of King Diamond’s work. It sounds like a guy is accompanying the chick in falsetto, although it may just be the girl.
Dreams of a Holocaust Night – Something about this song doesn’t sit write with me. Production sounds a little different from the rest of the album… at least the vocals sound that way. Not one of their best.
Revelations of Glaaki – I would have completely cut this song from the album. Everything offered here is weaker than anything else on the album. Not a very good instrumental (a few spoken vocals) as it hardly highlights the talents of this band.
Where Light Touches None – A very strong closer. The keyboards have a real thin sound, but are not utilized quite enough to take away from the song. Tonje does a really great job here as she is given a beautiful melody to sing along with.
Where Light Touches None may not be the best offering for hardcore death metal fans as the songs never pass a mid-paced tempo, but it should be more than capable of pleasing the black metal crowd. Definitely worth checking out for anyone not bothered by growling vocals, and I would recommend it over their other work as it is still my favorite, and has the most variety, as if they were still searching for where they would want to take their sound.
Sample: youtube.com/watch?v=YjYkgO0npkI&t=410s
