The Black – Alongside Death

1994 was a vintage year for Black Metal. My speakers strained from repeated plays of the epic albums released that fine year: De Mysteriis Dom Sathanas, Pentagram, Transylvanian Hunger, The Shadowthrone, Verwüstung… 1994 was also the year in which Swedish band The Black released The Priest of Satan, their classic debut album – then slowly seemed to vanish into Black Metal legend. Fourteen years later, The Black return in anger with their second album, Alongside Death.

Released only as a limited edition heavyweight vinyl with gatefold sleeve and poster, Alongside Death is a very interesting surprise. 1994′s The Priest of Satan was a good album and demonstrated a variety of approaches to song-writing – but of course was very much of its time, so I had no idea what to expect from The Black after such a long absence from the Black Metal warcamp.

There’s no fucking about with the opener. ‘On The Descent to Hell’ reaches up out of the trapdoor and pulls you down head-first into a world of vicious Black Metal. It’s obvious that this band have truly honed their craft in the age that has passed since their first release.

‘Death’s Crown’ ensues with similar ferocity. The bass-heavy opening riff reminds me of Bathory’s ‘For All Those Who Died’ as it thunders along but it soon explodes into a raging metal hellwind, then finishes you off with more blasting thunder. After many listens, I can say that ‘Death’s Crown’ is one of the finest black metal tracks I’ve ever heard. Not since Immortal’s Pure Holocaust have I heard riffing quite like this: full 6-string chords that snarl around your ears like your head’s been thrust into a giant wasp’s nest.

The sound is monstrous. It’s grim and thick, clear in every detail but without losing its dominating raw tone. The vocals remind me of Abbath’s more throaty moments, but have an undead grimness all of their own. The drumming adds the perfect measure of power to each attack.

The next two tracks deal out their punishment at a more solemn, sadistic pace, but the anger is still there. Then comes ‘Fleshless’ to keep your foot tapping with its modern-Darkthrone riffing charged with The Black’s own style of darkness.

By now, I’m yearning for more speed. Yet the next serving, ‘Death Throes’ keeps the mid-pace heaviness going, stomping around like a hungry Minotaur lord hunting for boar. As much as I expected a return to full speed here, it’s such a powerful track that I cannot complain.

The inclusion of ‘The Wrath From Beneath’ – three-and-a-half minutes of whirling atmospheric noise – might test your patience, but for me seems to fit in with the overall feel. It slowly creeps in, building up to a freezing climax that sounds like it could be the end of the album…

…But just as the noise gives way to silence, in storms the mighty title track at a frenzied pace, before finally dropping into a slower, snarly end.

Alongside Death has not taken long to become a much-played favourite of mine. Parts of it remind me of excellent moments from other Black Metal masterpieces, yet this album stands up on its own as a momentous piece of work, and I am proud to own one of the 666 copies.

A message to The Black: “Give us more – and soon.”

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Tags: 2008, Hell's Cargo Records, Pulverized Records, Sweden, The Black

This entry was posted on Tuesday, May 26th, 2009 at 00:24 and is filed under Black Metal Reviews. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.