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Damnation Army - Tyrant
Release: 2006Label: Mascot Records
By: Anders
Posted: Sep 26, 2006
The Swedish one man band Damnation Army is now ready with its sophomore album. The debut "The Art Of The Occult" which was released by the American label God Is Myth Records was a great display of very raw and grim black metal, which yet was melodic and epic. Now 2 years later and signed to the Dutch label Mascot Records, the album "Tyrant" has seen the light of day and an anticipated album it was, at least for me.
The first thing that springs to mind is the way better production of the album. "The Art Of The Occult" had a really raw and garage-like feel to it, and at first I really missed that about "Tyrant". Though as the time went by, it got clear that the songs possess the same qualities, just wrapped in a heavier and more well-weighed production. Damnation Army is still delivering black metal, though this time around there have sneaked some thrashy death metal riffs and compositions into the game, the main base is still in black metal with a melancholic and epic touch, though often much heavier that before. There is still a good deal of pace shifts, from chugging mid-tempo parts to a little faster pace.
Thomas Nyholm who is the man behind the band has a thing with writing music, he has a flair for making good and epic tracks, which are very gripping and lasting. When one first have entered the world of Damnation Army, it can be hard to leave it again. Thomas has recorded all the instruments himself once again, and once again he has done a good job, especially on the guitar, which I suspect is his main-instrument. There are many good riffs and gripping melodies. The vocals are also well delivered a harsh and emotional rasp, not that far off the more typical Swedish black metal scream, more weighed and hitting at times though.
"Tyrant" is a good album with some good epic and balanced black metal, it is very calm and well-weighed compared to "The Art Of The Occult", and that makes it quite hard to swallow at first, though as time goes and the more spins the album gets, the better and more gripping it becomes, as the music is emotional and dark. Personally I still prefer the debut album if I had to choose, even though "Tyrant" still grows a bit each time I listen to it!
The first thing that springs to mind is the way better production of the album. "The Art Of The Occult" had a really raw and garage-like feel to it, and at first I really missed that about "Tyrant". Though as the time went by, it got clear that the songs possess the same qualities, just wrapped in a heavier and more well-weighed production. Damnation Army is still delivering black metal, though this time around there have sneaked some thrashy death metal riffs and compositions into the game, the main base is still in black metal with a melancholic and epic touch, though often much heavier that before. There is still a good deal of pace shifts, from chugging mid-tempo parts to a little faster pace.
Thomas Nyholm who is the man behind the band has a thing with writing music, he has a flair for making good and epic tracks, which are very gripping and lasting. When one first have entered the world of Damnation Army, it can be hard to leave it again. Thomas has recorded all the instruments himself once again, and once again he has done a good job, especially on the guitar, which I suspect is his main-instrument. There are many good riffs and gripping melodies. The vocals are also well delivered a harsh and emotional rasp, not that far off the more typical Swedish black metal scream, more weighed and hitting at times though.
"Tyrant" is a good album with some good epic and balanced black metal, it is very calm and well-weighed compared to "The Art Of The Occult", and that makes it quite hard to swallow at first, though as time goes and the more spins the album gets, the better and more gripping it becomes, as the music is emotional and dark. Personally I still prefer the debut album if I had to choose, even though "Tyrant" still grows a bit each time I listen to it!
Rating: 7½/10
Damnation Army website
Review of "Art Of The Occult"
Distributed in Denmark and kindly supplied by Target
Review of "Art Of The Occult"
Distributed in Denmark and kindly supplied by Target
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