CD Review: Black Messiah - The Final Journey
Written by Ray Dunkle Tuesday, 07 February 2012 13:43

Artist: Black Messiah
Title: The Final Journey
Genre: Pagan / Viking Metal
Release Date: 24th February 2012
Label: AFM Records
Album Review
Valhalla is the Planet Testosterone of Norse mythology where men, lots of men are doing manly stuff after death. And the BLACK MESSIAH show that they will have a part in all that, I presume after their death. But for the time being, you should know that the band was formed in 1994 and back then they used to play Death Metal till they found the meaning of life which was disposed between stone cold dead Vikings.
And yet, besides the fun, the truth is that the BLACK MESSIAH manages to create a highly enjoyable Power/ Epic Metal in the forms of the Paganism or of Vikings. The opening ‘Windloni’ puts you right in the middle of their cosmos, a world of heroes, tons of snow, and men’s bullet-proof leather bikinis. What distinguishes them from a zillion bands that play something similar are Zagan’s vocals which manage to deal with lots of anger without losing something from the epic tone of the band, and of course, the versatility of the organs the band has put into the songs, making them appealing in terms of musicianship. The riffs are heavier than artillery bombs, they are bloody catchy and the pace of the songs is as fast as it should be.
‘Der Ring Mit Dem Kreuz’ also has a Symphonic Death Metal feeling which adds an extra amount of feeling their bloodbath atmosphere needs. Surely the high peak of the CD at least in terms of concept and breadth is ‘The Naglfar Saga’. The only characterisation for that quartet of songs is epic. It is also interesting that the band wants to distance itself from many who think that the Norse mythology can be their safeguard for neo-Aryan and fascistic propaganda. In this, their fifth studio release, the BLACK MESSIAH prove to be more mature and confident than ever before, not only in terms of sound but also in terms of recording, of presence, and of lyrical breadth. It is certain that the fans of the genre will enjoy this “Final Journey”.
Tracklist
01. Windloni
02. Der Ring Mit Dem Kreuz
03. To Become A Man
04. Into The Unfathomed Tower (A Tribute To Candlemass)
05. Feld Der Ehre
06. Lindisfarne
07. The Naglfar Saga: Prologue – The Final Journey
08. The Naglfar Saga: Mother Hel
09. The Naglfar Saga: On Board
10. The Naglfar Saga: Sailing Into Eternity
Line-up
Zagan – Vocals / Guitars / Violin / Mandolin
Meldric – Lead Guitars
Zoran – Guitars
Agnar – Keyboards
Garm – Bass
Mike 'Brööh' Bröker – Drums
Websites
http://www.blackmessiah.de/
Cover Picture
Rating
Music: 8
Sound: 8
Total: 8 / 10
| < Prev | Next > |
|---|
CD/DVD Reviews
Recent Concert Reviews
- Live Review: Darkflower Live Night - Bochum 2012
- Live Review: Schneewittchen - Berlin 2012
- Live Review: Peter Gabriel – Oberhausen 2012
- Live Review: Judas Priest - Münster 2012
- Live Review: Dark End Festival - Herford 2012
- Live Review: Stranglers, The - Cologne 2012
- Live Review: Uriah Heep & Nazareth - Rocklegends in Concert - Oberhausen 2012
- Live Review: Rewind Easter Fest - Gent 2012 (Day 2)
- Live Review: Nightwish - Düsseldorf 2012
- Live Review: Icon Of Coil - Bochum 2012
Recent CD/DVD Reviews
- CD Review: Joey Ramone - ...Ya Know?
- CD Review: EGOamp - The Replika EP
- CD Review: Anathema - Weather Systems
- CD Review: Holy Moses - 30th Anniversary - In the Power of Now
- CD Review: Logic & Olivia - Playground of the Past
- CD Review: Formalin - Wasteland Manifesto
- CD Review: Amduscia - Death, Thou Shalt Die
- CD Review: Halestorm - The Strange Case Of
- CD Review: Moonspell - Alpha Noir
- CD Review: Unleashed - Odalheim
Recent Interviews
- Interview: Autoclav1.1 - April 2012
- Interview: Akem Manah - April 2012
- Interview: Amebix - January 2012
- Interview: Steelwing - December 2011
- Interview: Skull Fist - December 2011
- Interview: Farsot. - December 2011
- Interview: Haujobb - November 2011
- Interview: [:SITD:] - November 2011
- Interview: Tanzwut - October 2011
- Interview: Insomnium - October 2011
Specials
- Special: Aida Night of the Proms - Dortmund 2011
- Special: Dream Theater - Professionalism with soul
- Special: Chernobyl zone with Covenant - 25 years after the great tragedy
- Special: In Extremo - “Sterneneisen” Listening Session, an insight into the upcoming CD
- Special: Fashion Rock Night Berlin 2011 - Where Rock meets Fashion
Events Calendar
Latest Events
| Thu May 17, 2012 @ 8:00AM - 11:00PM (CAN) Kinetik Festival |
| Thu May 17, 2012 @ 7:00PM - 11:00PM (D) EVERY TIME I DIE |
| Thu May 17, 2012 @ 7:00PM - 11:00PM (D) WE ARE AUGUSTINES |
| Thu May 17, 2012 @ 7:00PM - 11:00PM (D) THE BASEBALLS |
| Thu May 17, 2012 @ 7:00PM - 11:00PM (D) SCARLET SOHO |
| Thu May 17, 2012 @ 7:00PM - 11:00PM (D) BILLY BRAGG |
| Thu May 17, 2012 @ 7:00PM - 11:00PM (D) TUSQ, Academies |
| Fri May 18, 2012 @ 8:00AM - 11:00PM (CAN) Kinetik Festival |
| Fri May 18, 2012 @ 8:00AM - 11:00PM (D) Rock N Ink Tattoo Festival |
| Fri May 18, 2012 @ 7:00PM - 11:00PM (D) SCARLET SOHO |
| Fri May 18, 2012 @ 7:00PM - 11:00PM (D) REDEEM, Sara Sucks |
| Fri May 18, 2012 @ 7:00PM - 11:00PM (D) J.B.O. |
| Fri May 18, 2012 @ 7:00PM - 11:00PM (US) BLUTENGEL |
| Fri May 18, 2012 @ 7:00PM - 11:00PM (D) EVERY TIME I DIE |
| Fri May 18, 2012 @ 7:00PM - 11:00PM (D) BILLY BRAGG |
| Fri May 18, 2012 @ 7:00PM - 11:00PM (NL) KINGFISHER SKY, SIN7SINS |
| Fri May 18, 2012 @ 7:00PM - 11:00PM (D) TUSQ |
| Sat May 19, 2012 @ 8:00AM - 11:00PM (CAN) Kinetik Festival |
| Sat May 19, 2012 @ 8:00AM - 11:00PM (D) Rock N Ink Tattoo Festival |
| Sat May 19, 2012 @ 7:00PM - 11:00PM (CH) PROJECT PITCHFORK, Metallspürhunde |
Popular
Previews
- Preview BLACK LABEL SOCIETY - Moscow 2012
- Preview MANOWAR - Dortmund 2012
- Preview GODSMACK - Dortmund 2012
- Preview INCUBUS - Dortmund 2012
- Preview CASTLE ROCK - Mülheim 2012
- Preview SCHNEEWITTCHEN - Berlin 2012
- Preview EXILIA - Munich 2012
- Preview FADERHEAD - Munich 2012
- Preview ROCKHARZ - Ballenstedt 2012
- Preview EVANESCENCE - Tilburg 2012
- Preview DIE ÄRZTE - Frankfurt/ Main 2012
- Preview BLINK-1982 - Essen 2012
- Preview EVANESCENCE - Dortmund 2012
- Preview MÖTLEY CRÜE & SLASH - Mönchengladbach 2012
- Preview GUNS N' ROSES - Mönchengladbach 2012
Concert- and Festival News
- ZITA ROCK FESTIVAL 2012 - Running Order
- WAVE GOTIK TREFFEN 2012 - Timetable & Lots of new bands!
- PLUSWELT FESTIVAL BERLIN EDITION II - Line up complete!
- SEABOUND - European Summer Dates Confirmed!
- BUSH - More European Live Dates
- THE BEAUTY OF GEMINA - Step ahead!
- SHOEGAZER-FESTIVAL 2012 - Taking place in September in Bielefeld
- THE CRÜXSHADOWS - Back over Europe!
- OBSCURA - Announce headlining Japanese tour dates
- DEVILSIDE FESTIVAL 2012 - 5 new bands confirmed!
- WAVE GOTIK TREFFEN 2012 - New Confirmations
- LACUNA COIL - Announce "Dark Legacy" UK tour
- DYING FETUS - Announce European tour; Release album teaser
- VOODOO HIGHWAY - Italian hard rockers opening for L.A. Guns!
- EISBRECHER - Year-end concert in Munich
Release News
- HALWAY TO NEW YORK – To Release ‘Treading Water’ EP soon
- VOLENTE - Celebrating new single with a gifr
- MANOWAR - Limited CD/Digital Pre-Sale Bundle For New Album
- HOLYHELL - Digital Release of new Album on June 16
- PSYCHE - Release Infacted Classixx Part 30
- TRIOSPHERE - Release "Marionette" video clip!
- DESDEMONA - Reveal the title & artwork of their fourth album!
- MANOWAR - Announce Digital Release Of New Album For June 16, 2012
- RECOIL - Alfa Matrix to release Blu-ray 'A STRANGE HOUR IN BUDAPEST' in EU/USA
- CHRIS THOMPSONS - Releases 'Live In Berlin' DVD
- GRENDEL - Limited "Timewave Zero" Vinyl
- THE AGONIST - Reveals cover artwork & track-listing for new album "Prisoners"
- DEAD BELGIAN - Hommage to Jacques Brel
- FORGOTTEN TOMB - Announces a new album, a DVD and tour dates!
- X MARKS THE PEDWALK - New album in September!
Other Music News
- TOMBS - Premiere new video on Stereogum
- DYING FETUS - Post second in-studio video
- BLACK ANVIL - Begin writing new record; Announce tour dates with Watain
- BLOOD LABEL - Premieres new video
- IT BITES - Reveal third part of their band documentary/ "Tour Of The Past" starts May 18th
- MANOWAR - Perform Title Song For The After Dark Action Film El Gringo
- BARONESS - Trailer for "Yellow & Green" album
- DAVEY SUICIDE - Premiere of "Generation Fuck Star" video
- FUEL FROM HELL - Full song posted online
- THE GIVEN MOTION - Introducing America's newest edgy, dangerously catchy and profound rock band
- KINETIK FESTIVAL 2012 - Photobook available!
- ARCH ENEMY - Presents new video for "Under Black Flags we march"
- EMPIRES OF EDEN - Vocalist feat. on The Voice! Australia
- KARST - Releases its first music video
- DAVEY SUICIDE - Newest Member Of “Rock N’ Roll 2.0” Roster
Search Event Tickets
|
|

