black metal
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Not long ago I introduced a few bands from Costa Rica, namely Corpse Garden and Alastor Sanguinary Embryo. Now, I have no idea how many extreme metal bands hail from that country, but until now I have absolutely no complaining about their scene. Black metal, death metal and many other brutal genres seem to be as popular there as in our old continent. So get ready for another blackened ride on the Costa Rican rollercoaster of extreme music, this time with Ancient Spheres.
The bandname comes from the mysterious spheres found in Costa Rica. A number of stone balls on the beach have been occupying the minds of scientists and archeologists for years. Uptil now, nobody knows who made these or why. However, many people do sense a touch of magic surrounding the spheres. That alone is perfectly suited to inspire artists, the black metal act I'm reviewing being one of them.
Although Ancient Spheres is a relatively young band, founded in 2010, they have been going through a rough history already. Numerous line-up changes, problems with members and other parties have shaped the band but they stubbornly continue to walk their bleak and aggressive path. Several ep's and albums have already been recorded previously. The now trio has been touring a lot throughout Middle and South America and are able to count on a solid following.
With good reason too, to be honest. This album shows a well-attuned band of experienced musicians who know a thing or two about turning true evil in songs. The style reminds me a lot of the old school wave in Europe, including bands like Emperor, Immortal, Mayhem, Marduk and so on. The riffs are great, the blast beats pierce your eardrums and the vocalist seem to come straight from hell, screaming fiercely. Those are ingredients for a decent black metal album and 'In Conspiracy With The Night' is just that, excellent even.
In eleven gritty and eerie tracks, including an intro, the albums rolls on in fierce tempo and with cold vengeance. When the eleven songs are finally over, there's four more songs to torture the last bit of sanity that's left in you. The remastered songs, with either alternative lyrics or re-recorded vocals fit perfectly well with their current style and line-up. The whole clocks of at seventy-seven minutes, which is a long ride into the dark forest of Costa Rica, but it's an interesting ride nevertheless.
Serge
The bandname comes from the mysterious spheres found in Costa Rica. A number of stone balls on the beach have been occupying the minds of scientists and archeologists for years. Uptil now, nobody knows who made these or why. However, many people do sense a touch of magic surrounding the spheres. That alone is perfectly suited to inspire artists, the black metal act I'm reviewing being one of them.
Although Ancient Spheres is a relatively young band, founded in 2010, they have been going through a rough history already. Numerous line-up changes, problems with members and other parties have shaped the band but they stubbornly continue to walk their bleak and aggressive path. Several ep's and albums have already been recorded previously. The now trio has been touring a lot throughout Middle and South America and are able to count on a solid following.
With good reason too, to be honest. This album shows a well-attuned band of experienced musicians who know a thing or two about turning true evil in songs. The style reminds me a lot of the old school wave in Europe, including bands like Emperor, Immortal, Mayhem, Marduk and so on. The riffs are great, the blast beats pierce your eardrums and the vocalist seem to come straight from hell, screaming fiercely. Those are ingredients for a decent black metal album and 'In Conspiracy With The Night' is just that, excellent even.
In eleven gritty and eerie tracks, including an intro, the albums rolls on in fierce tempo and with cold vengeance. When the eleven songs are finally over, there's four more songs to torture the last bit of sanity that's left in you. The remastered songs, with either alternative lyrics or re-recorded vocals fit perfectly well with their current style and line-up. The whole clocks of at seventy-seven minutes, which is a long ride into the dark forest of Costa Rica, but it's an interesting ride nevertheless.
Serge
