SINGLE REVIEW: Dreamslain - He Who Rises in Force

DREAMSLAIN (Norway)
"He Who Rises In Force"
(Under the Bridge Music)
Release date:
December 13th 2019 (BandCamp)
January 31st 2020 (Streaming)

Genre: Melodic death metal, extreme metal, horror metal

Links:
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DREAMSLAIN are a three piece band located in Tromsø, far north in Norway. This year marks the tenth anniversary since the formation of the band, when drummer Daniel Figenschou joined frontman and guitarist Igor Jakobsen to breathe new life into his previously written material. The duo remained constant until keyboardist Anna Loppacher joined in 2013, after which the trio has kept writing and producing their own material. Their efforts have resulted in a handful of singles, as well as the 2018 EP "Tales of War", and it is with their most recent single in mind that we now dive into DREAMSLAIN and their sound.

"He Who Rises in Force" is a self produced, nine minute epic track that contains all the familiar characteristics that DREAMSLAIN already have made their own on their previous endeavours. According to the band themselves, they share an affinity for Scandinavian extreme metal, and this brand new single certainly thrives very well within the same category. The track has a vast variety in tempo and structure, and doesn't feel as lengthy as it actually is.

One factor that helps DREAMSLAIN create a fairly unique sound is their use of church organ, which helps add a sinister atmosphere to the band's expression. In essence, a very dark and epic track in terms of riffs and melody, but keyboardist Loppacher and her church organ create an eerie layer of horror that indeed complements Jakobsen's guitars and Figenschou's intensive drumming.

DREAMSLAIN are said to be recording their first full length, and their two most recent singles ("Ownership Denied" and "He Who Rises in Force") are both products from these sessions.

"He Who Rises in Force" is available for a price of your own choosing on their BandCamp page, so there is no reason why you shouldn't head over there right now and check it out.

★★★★★★★★☆☆

LINE UP:
Igor Jakobsen - vocals and guitars
Anna Loppacher - keyboards, bass pedals and backing vocals
Daniel Paulsen Figenschou - drums and backing vocals

ALBUM REVIEW: Black Coven - Everlost

BLACK COVEN (Austria)
"Everlost"
(Independent)
Release date: September 27th 2018
Genre: Melodic death metal, epic heavy metal
Links:
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BLACK COVEN is an Austrian duo that appears as a bit of a curiosity. Originally founded as a three piece band in early 2016, they have released the three track EP that we will be reviewing today, and they have been quite busy doing concerts as well. The duo format would in many cases be a factor that forces a band to refrain from playing live, but in BLACK COVEN's case it's quite the contrary, and they have appeared on festival stages alongside In The Woods... and Benediction, just to mention a few.

The duo consists of guitarist and vocalist Morgane Rake and drummer Andreas Gray, and they have both been in the band since the formation three and a half years ago.

"Everlost" was recorded on analog equipment in the Finnish Astia-studio in March 2018, and was released digitally in September. BLACK COVEN claim to be inspired by the 90's melodic death metal scene, which becomes apparent when the thundering intro on "Across the 1000 Lakes" starts to roll. There are a lot of parallells to be drawn towards Edge of Sanity, Dark Tranquillity, Carcass, early 90's In Flames and even Death, especially on the vocal side. Singer Morgane Rake must be the reincarnation of Chuck Schuldiner himself, and I suspect she has been inspired by his guitar work as well.

The three tracks on "Everlost" are all very varied with both power chord based riffs as well as ones that are a bit more intricate, all put together and arranged within a framework that with excellence and flair captures the 90's melodic metal essence and authenticity.

★★★★★★★★☆☆

Tracklist:
1. Across the 1000 Lakes
2. Ablazing Dawn
3. Ovation of the Wolves

BLACK COVEN:
- Morgane Rake, guitars, bass, vocals
- Andreas Gray, drums