Pantheon I
From the Abyss they Rise
13 Track Album
Non Serviam Records
To be released 14th August 2014
Out very soon!
Written for Brutalism.com
Pantheon I – Oslo, Norway
Links:
Artwork created by: Kjell Age
Meland
Discography:
2003 Demo MMIII
2004 Pantheon I (Single)
2006 Atrocity Divine
2007 The Wanderer and His
Shadow
2009 Serpent Christ (single)
2009 Worlds I Create
2014 From the Abyss They Rise
Genre: Black Metal
Biography
“Formed in late 2002 and hailing from the city of Oslo in Norway, Pantheon I is an extreme metal band
that combines brutality, aggression and speed with heart-wrenching melancholy.
Rather than resorting to the use of synths with string samples, the symphonic
aspects of their music are highlighted by the use of the cello.”
More and more orchestral instruments are being used to add depth and
quality to a metal bands overall sound. I could never imagine it before I
witnessed Apocalyptica when they supported Rammstein.
But the Cello does indeed bring a more intense outlook to the proceedings
– so quite looking forward to hearing this album.
Pariah is a seductive piece of music that is well balanced and beautiful in
it its own way. The complex passages are breath taking and unlike what you
would expect from a band labelling themselves as just a black metal band.
The essences from Martyr are
indeed a little more rapacious but the slow and compelling breakdowns bring a
potent weave into what is a very engaging track. The vocals however, do remind
you we are indeed listening to a black metal band here, even though it does
hold a few progressive moments.
I’ll come back as fire,
the third track on the album is quite ambient with the Cello being
the more dominant instrument on it, at the beginning anyway. Further down the
line a harsh bludgeoning beat kicks in and raucously evolves the sound and with
a dark whispering vocal leads us back into a black metal realm.
What lies beneath? Is a very poignant track as once again the Cello makes its mark,
until a frenzy of kick beats looms forward, along with a shrill riff casting a
glazed melodic hue over the proceedings and has an insatiable appetite.
The title track - From the
abyss they Rise is up next and from it springs up jabs of metal intertwined
with some classical moments and of course a gnarly influx of throaty vocal
splendour.
Core of the Soul is about the harshest composition I have witnessed so far on this
album. The guitars hiss loudly like a million rasping snakes, whilst the drum
beats throw out an agitated rhythm that is spiked with a potent punch.
Thus spake the Night
Spirit – title sounds very Gothic, but the vocals would
suggest otherwise as a long intense scream brings it to life and back to a
driving rhythm with black metal menace.
Transparent lends itself once more to a prominent cello sound that is
melancholic and steeped in ambiance. The drums and guitar melt into the
background whilst a demonic vocal weaves a black breath through the
composition.
Is this Prophecy moves back to the darker side with a run of kick beats and an
enthralling jagged black vocal, that literally flirts with its varied melodic
structure, and then the cello once more starts up and gives the track depth be
it all so melancholic.
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“Quite a potent and engaging album
all in all, with some amazingly blistering confrontations, soaked in
atmospheric ambiance!”
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Myopic Dark Eyes – This I think has to be my favourite track so far – and can
definitely be described as epic, as the guitar churns out a repetitive riff. The overall sound is crisp and metallic fuelled by an aggressive vocal
onslaught with a constant beat - This track is on fire.
A Shadow – Is quite a jumbled and jazzy composition that I can honestly say I
really dislike this!
Impious Spirit – is back once more to its blackest roots with an ambling ambiance, predatory
guitar riff and forceful bass hooks that ravage melodically through a haze of
gnarly seething vocal.
Enter the Pantheon – The anticipation on this track as it builds almost instantly is
quite breath taking. Still within its comfort zone but offers a potent frenzy
of sound with a good slab of melody incorporated into its structure.
Summary
The cello definitely works well within black metal compositions and
really boosts it with a dramatic quality. The vocals do not really change
through-out the album, however, I didn’t really expect them to as black metal
has a niche all of its own and the shrill demonic screeches are typically black
but work well with the surrounding music.
I have to mention ‘A Shadow’ this track is far too mixed up and jazz
orientated for me to listen to all the way through – I really do not like
jazz structures and thought this really spoiled an otherwise enjoyable album.
Other than that one song, I quite enjoyed the others, paying
particular attention to ‘Pariah’ ‘I’ll come back as Fire’ and ‘Myopic Eyes’
they are indeed very creative and memorable tracks.
Quite a potent and engaging album all in all, with some amazingly
blistering confrontations, soaked in atmospheric ambiance.
4/5
Track List:
Pariah
Martyr
I’ll come back as fire
What lies beneath?
From the abyss they rise
Core of the Soul
Thus spake the Night Spirit
Transparent
Is this Prophecy
Myopic Dark Eyes
A Shadow
Impious Spirit
Enter the Pantheon
Members:
Kvebek – Vocals, Guitars
Sagstad – Guitars
T.R.S. – Bass
Mads G – Drums
Live Julianne – Cello
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