Horns "Im Schein Trüben Kerzenlichts" CD Digipack

A compendium of old songs recorded between the years 2000-2008 and available now through LAMECH RECORDS.

According to the information that can be found within the digipak, "Im Schein trüben Kerzenlichts" consists of the songs that were recorded between 2000 and 2008, and some of these songs were originally composed by Aerzengellus von Dunkelnacht for his old band 13 Candles back in 1993.
The band's country of origin should not delude the unprepared listener, as there is no typical South American bestial metal stuff here, but instead Horns attack with top-notch black metal with raw and cryptic sound reminding of Mayhem's classic era with some influences from Hellhammer and Bathory that can be easily evidenced in such tracks as "From the Crypt" or "Upon a Nameless Grave". But besides the fathers of the genre, in the "inspiration list" Aerzengellus von Dunkelnacht mentions Johann Sebastian Bach, Dietrich Buxtehude, Heinrich Schütz, Richard Wagner, Ludwig van Beethoven and Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart. One shouldn't expect any symphonic keyboards or neoclassical pieces here, yet the classical music influence can be noticed already in the opening track, which starts with the sample from Hildegard von Bingen's "O Frondens Virga" and later on features the riffs, the melodic structure of which definitely suggests the aforementioned influence. One special track is "Der Kunst der Dunkelheit", the musical part of which is based on Johann Sebastian Bach's "Der Kunst der Fugue", and the lyrics consist of the Latin text that was used by the medieval heretic sect of Cathars in their rituals, which here is sung in clean ceremonial voice that distinguishes this song from the other songs on this album that feature typical for black metal grim hoarse voice.
"Im Schein trüben Kerzenlichts" is a very interesting album, though some songs seem a little bit underworked and make me thinking that the band's potential wasn't realized in full and it could have been even better. Nevertheless, all the connoisseurs of high quality black metal should appreciate this work. It should also be noted that despite the fact that the songs for this album were composed and recorded at different time, a very skillful mastering was performed, owing to which all the songs are united by common sound and great atmosphere.

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