Compilation with "De Expugnatione Elfmuth" album 2002 and "Omne Est Paratum" Demo 1998
The song "Eccidium" on this demo is quite similar to the song "Elficidium" on the album De Expugnatione Elfmuth. Some minor changes and on the full album the song is played faster.
Most of "Ante Bellum" can be heard in the end of the song "Solvitur ad Elfmuth (Ante Bellum)" on the full-length album as well.
This is the first release of Nazgul.
I took 4 points from it only because of the lack of production on the second track. Even it's being possible to understand and listen perfectly, if it was better produced, the song would be a killer.
It starts with the known Eccidium that is the song Elficidium, some minor changes happen. This song is like: " you are stalking an elfic village before the slaughtering, which will happen in the upcoming night. And then, in the second part of the song, pure slaughtering and death". The first part is melodic and has a piccolo sound, which makes it very sweet and fresh. The MUSIC itself is not very advanced. For those who are interested: the guitars, bass, and atmosphere keyboards do nothing than playing chords of the main harmony. The drums are: "mid-paced, blast, fast".
Ante Bellum! This song is one of the most amazing songs that I have ever listened to. The ending is so epic, glorious and sad. I mean, you feel like winning the battle that started in the song before. This one is very fast, and the keyboards are very well done, various melodies at the same time and all of them with the same feelings. Add this to desperate screaming and intense blasting and you will get it.
Actually, the song "Solvitur ad elfmuth" from the first album has parts that were taken from this song.
The production as I sad is not memorable. It's even very good for a demo record, but this demo is not common and deserved more than this, because the music itself is perfect.
To be completely honest, I rejected this piece of art at first. It requires huge amount of concentration and even tolerance. But just at first. Of course, it was extremely difficult to stay concentrated on the overall impression with that kind of growling following you through the listening. However, after a third time listening, I was beginning to notice the whole concept. Obviously, as someone said, Nazgul without Zakrathor's singing would not be Nazgul, but it's more to it than that. The whole idea of making atmosphere full of hopelessness, chaos and despair would not be possible. Zakrathor's singing contributes to that atmosphere as much as any of the countless instrumental orchestrations through the album.
As for music, it is perfectly balanced mixture of beautiful, catchy, folk/classic, baroque melodies and cruel, open agressiveness and hostility that adorns this particular genre. In certain moments, somewhat unexpected, but well-timed choir chanting will appear and thus, though in complete contrast with unarticulated leading vocal, further invoke the dark, demonic emotions that pervade and colors this, i must say, masterpiece of metal art. Nobility and serenity that can be found in Nazgul music and lyrics are in such contrast with omnipresent hate and brutality that it will most certainly render you speechless. Technical and graceful instrumental orchestrations, combined with unchained, bloodthirsty black metal riffs are mother and father to a cretaure we came to know as Nazgul. And it's a good child, too. As it was said before, inconsistent and unsteady tempo of the music demands that the listener give away all his mind and heart in order to be able to keep up with the story behind the music, and so fully experience the genius that inspires this innovative creation.
Although sometimes it does not seems so, but relatively large number of short, interlude tracks is actually a very positive thing in this kind of conceptual works. It does the great job of connecting seemingly scattered fragments into a powerfull and well-crafted wholeness that will not leave you indifferent.
Concerning theme, I must say that in these, post-Hollywood LotR trilogy times, it takes a certain amount of courage and of course, originality to make the album about Tolkien's work that actually counts. It's not an easy job, considering the fact that almost every fifth band on metal scene has, at one point, mentioned term Middle-earth, orcs, elves, hobbits etc. In light of that, Nazgul is to to be congratulated. Not only for their originality, but also for their remarkable musical capabilities and imagination that allows them to create something like "De Expugnatione Elfmuth". Although battle-like tone prevails in this album, I think it should be mentioned that at some points throughout the listening, one might find himself thinking that he's listening not a Tolkien, battle-themed band, but a gothic/ baroque soundtrack from, let's say, "Interview with a Vampire". Not that it matters, but it can help you conceive the type of music you can hear on this CD.
Overall conclusion, almost perfect fantasy themed debut album. Technical, imaginative, original. Very worth of your time and money. If you listen it repeatedly, you will discover that every listening reveals a new, hidden secret that you was not aware of earlier. It does sound poetic, but it is true. One listening is simply not enough to discover everything this album has to offer.
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