[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tocvCjbonqI[/youtube]
Metal Insider contributor Anthony Maisano is listening to a different metal album that was released on that day every day this year. Today, it’s Darkthrone’s seventh album, Ravishing Grimness, which was released on March 7th, 1999.
The riffs on this album are a bit more clear than on most earlier black metal albums like this. The choruses are also stronger than what I usually listen to. Perhaps the best part about the album is that the songs are all pretty long, which gives space to new riffs and parts throughout the song. Each song doesn’t really get stale.
While the production on the album certainly is not the worst I’ve heard, it’s still very raw, and very muddy in some parts. One again, the bass might as well not even be on the album, because it’s so low in the mix. Other than that, it’s good black metal, but doesn’t really break new grounds. You’ll love it if you already really enjoy the genre.
Favorite Tracks: “Lifeless,” “Ravishing Grimness,” “The Claws of Time.”
This is a black metal album for black metal fans. Besides some stylistic choices, like longer songs, and clearer riffs, it doesn’t add anything new to the black metal formula. But that doesn’t exactly make it bad. If it’s a style you already like, then this will be an incredibly enjoyable listen. On the flip side, if you’re not into older black metal, I doubt this will do much to change your mind.
