Heavy Metal Zombies
In terms of music, what is Heavy? When we say an album or a song is heavy what do we mean? The production? The down tuned guitars? The Image? The speed? I ask this questions because the more I hear of black metal the more I realise, musically speaking, it's isn't really a heavy genre, or is it? Germany's Dark Fortress hit us with their 5th release 'Séance' and for this reviewers ears, on initial listen, it all seemed a little too polished, however I soon realised this was black metal for the gothic and not for the angry.
Looking like a band of heavy metal zombies, Dark Fortress certainly adopt all the clichés of black metal, however as soon as you hear the creepy guitar of opener 'Ghastly Indoctrination,' you realise this album is going to haunt your very subconcious rather than rip your head off. A marching drum-beat accompanied by a Azathorth's tortured vocals lead onto the usual black metal blast beat. The production is so clean that the guitars disappear from the mix, leaving the whole experience sounding a little weedy and ineffective. Only when the beat slows does the production make a little more sense, a production perhaps more geared to show off the epic feel of the songs, to smother the listener with layers of sound in an attempt to have that grandiose feel. On this level it works, and thankfully, Dark Fortress have contained the writing to make best advantage of this fact. Second track 'Catawomb' is a perfect example of getting the best from this sweeping production, it's slow groove and genuine hook is quite infectious and Azathoth's rasp makes the song sound like Beelzebub himself has written the said tune.
The slow drudge is continued with 'Requiem Grotesque,' with it's deep backing vocals adding depth to what is otherwise a lifeless but interestingly grim track. 'While they Sleep' doesn't lift the pace or the mood of the album, and a good thing too, because after the grisly mood created by the first three songs, the last thing you want is to be uplifted. The discordant string section in the middle of 'While they Sleep' is a wonderful moment that almost makes you want to switch off all the lights, burn a few candles, and sit in the corner of the room with your knees pressed against your chest, rocking back and forth.
The pace is eventually injected into the proceedings with the brilliantly titled 'To harvest the artefacts of mockery.' Again the drums take over the production and spoil what could have been the highlight of the album. 'Revolution:Vanity' is perhaps a dirge too far and 'Incide' is no more a song than a man in the throes of death. The blood curdling screams are frighteningly eerie, a testament perhaps to the skill and also the disturbed nature in which this CD has been pieced together. 'Shardfigures' starts with some gorgeous clean guitar and is the best this album has to offer, final track 'Insomnia,' is aptly titled for I challenge anyone to have a good nights sleep after a spin of séance.
Although let down by frail sounding production, Séance is perhaps more of an interesting, ghostly listen, rather than a ferocious slab of black metal. It may not sound heavy but it's themes and images are what we associate with heaviness, proving that heavy music is not always about speed, volume and ferocity. Séance is awash with genius at times but also sullied by the constant death-march lifeless feel. If this was their aim from the beginning, then they have succeeded admirably, for this is a disturbing listen, and an experience that'll have you checking your doors and windows before going to bed.