Title: Apotheosis
Artist: Under That Spell
Genre: Black Metal
Release Date: 15th of January 2010
Label: War Anthem Records
Album Review
After having left his previous band HELRUNAR, Dionysos established the German black metal band UNDER THAT SPELL in the end of 2008. He was joined by Abyss and Sin, the latter is also known as a live member of HELRUNAR. The concept leading to the band's name relates to the weak spirits of nowadays society and modern life in general. Intended in a hateful but also philosophical manner, UNDER THAT SPELL combines the traditional and atmospheric style of the early 90's with rather modern elements, to express their own interpretation of what Black Metal is today. On 15th January, their debut record will be released through War Anthem Records, to which they are signed since May 2009.
With ‘Rise’, UNDER THAT SPELL created an atmospheric, dark beginning that puts the listener in the mood for what is yet to come. ‘Below’ starts with a fulminating load of riffs, and soon Abyss joins in with his mean, high-pitched vocals. In the middle, the song slows down and gains some groove, yet only to speed up again, creating a neck-breaking song with unbelievable fast drum elements. ‘I am the Prophet’ continues in the very same manner, at first working with some disharmonic elements and then joining into a hymnal chorus. A small, slower middle-part gives the possibility to catch one’s breath and after a small interruption, the song ends with an acoustic-guitar melody. The successor, ‘Under That Spell’ kicks off with a typical black-metal beginning, fast riffs, loud screams and incredible drumming. Due to the crystal-clear production, every nuance of guitars and vocal shades becomes apparent. Also a technical side is shown since the guitar work appears rather felicitous.
‘Black’ gets under way rather groovy yet thrash-metal alike, somehow resembling a bit to SATYRICON and DISSECTION. This song is rather unexpected but still cadenced, and after a little interlude it comes to a sluggish end. ‘Their last creation’ begins rather technically, remarking until now the longest creation. Yet this song doesn’t lack in inventiveness and somehow gets stuck in your ears, also ending with an acoustic part full of atmosphere. Unlike its name, ‘The Final March’ by no means remarks the end of ‘Apotheosis’. It continues in an accustomed manner, yet with a rather dark prevailing mood, veering a bit towards doom metal. ‘The eldest name of God’ starts once again rather heavy, once again working with disharmonies and a low melody line, veering a bit towards death metal. The last dance is represented by the name-giving track ‘Apotheosis’, setting in rather slow and melodic, soon gaining speed and constituting one of the fastest tracks.
To put it all into a nutshell, ‘Apotheosis’ is a very promising debut record, well-produced and with interesting songwriting. UNDER THAT SPELL succeeded in combining traditional elements with modern components. Also after several hearings, this record does not tend to get boring. Highly recommendable!
Tracklist
01. Rise
02. Below
03. I am the Prophet
04. Under that Spell
05. Black
06. Their last creation
07. The Final March
08. The eldest name of god
09. Apotheosis
Line-up
Dionysos - Guitar
Abyss - Vocals
Euphorion - Battery
Sin – Bass
Website
www.myspace.com/underthatspellblackmetal / http://www.underthatspell.com/
Cover Picture
Rating
Music: 9
Sound: 9
Extras: -
Total: 9 / 10
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