As Light Dies: The Love Album-Volume 1

Don't be fooled by the title, as The Love Album-Volume 1 is anything but a collection of sappy ballads and sing along pop tunes. The third release from Spain's As Light Dies comes 4 years after their sophomore effort Ars Subtilior From the Within the Cage, and sees their avant-garde black metal style taking things one step further. Mixed by the legendary Dan Swano, The Love Album-Volume 1, is a great sounding album, with furious passages of raging black metal colliding with sweeping, orchestral sections firmly rooted in classic progressive rock. Vocals range from deep growls, shrieks, to powerful clean melodic singing, with all the styles present on the near 8-minute gem "Orpheus Mourning". "Together as One" is another thunderous, yet highly progressive track, with some well placed keyboard orchestrations dropped into a maelstrom of crushing guitar riffs and manic rhythms, with some really impressive clean vocals adding even more varied elements to the overall mix. "Your Wake" ups the speed ante for a great slice of atmospheric black metal, and the militaristic blasting of "Farewell From Distant Shores" drives what is just a lethal example of adventurous & highly progressive black metal. Any fan of Enslaved or Arcturus will surely find plenty to enjoy here. On the downside, there are way too many short interludes that only serve as segues to the main tracks, and come across as a lot of filler, which leaves five really strong songs out of the whole lot. A more focused set of songs might well result in a complete masterpiece next time around!

Track Listing

1. We Are All Destined For Grief
2. Orpheus Mourning
3. Blow Of Loss
4. Together As One
5. When Distance Becomes Real
6. Your Wake
7. No Pain At Sleep
8. Nemesis
9. Acceptance
10. Farewell From Distant Shores

Added: October 24th 2014
Reviewer: Pete Pardo
Score:
Related Link: Band @ Bandcamp
Hits: 1860
Language: english

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