North
From the Dark Past
[Astral Wings]
I assume the title for the new North CD will seem quite familiar to some
people. Well it should (or at least I hope it should…). I assume some of
you will also be familiar with the saying "never forget your roots".
After listening to this CD, that very saying popped into my mind. Why?
Simply because North have stayed VERY close to the roots that made their
first CD go over well in the underground. It's so similar in fact, that
literally NOTHING has changed.
Same simple Darkthrone style drumming. A similar production. The exact vocals that were displayed on "Thorns…". And simply put, the same music. This really isn't a bad thing, but it's always interesting to see a band progress from release to release. What's the point of investing so much time and money into a CD if you aren't going to impress anyone with anything new?
You're probably saying to yourself "there must be SOME differences Brandubh!!". Well, I suppose it's my job to delve a tad deeper into a release if I'm here to support bands that I appreciate. For example, a smaller amount of melody has been added to the riffs. There are a few moments that scream "heavy metal". And to ease any further worries, the final (re-written and recorded) track "In the circle of the Kings" is sheer genius. Melancholic, doomy, and varied.
"From the Dark Past" is a fine album indeed, and North proves that they are amongst the best of the bands drawing influence from the second wave Norwegian scene. I just wish they had perhaps put a tad more effort….it's so similar though that you can't exactly say "oh no, another band that released a solid first release and then failed miserable with the follow-up!".
© 1998 brand
Same simple Darkthrone style drumming. A similar production. The exact vocals that were displayed on "Thorns…". And simply put, the same music. This really isn't a bad thing, but it's always interesting to see a band progress from release to release. What's the point of investing so much time and money into a CD if you aren't going to impress anyone with anything new?
You're probably saying to yourself "there must be SOME differences Brandubh!!". Well, I suppose it's my job to delve a tad deeper into a release if I'm here to support bands that I appreciate. For example, a smaller amount of melody has been added to the riffs. There are a few moments that scream "heavy metal". And to ease any further worries, the final (re-written and recorded) track "In the circle of the Kings" is sheer genius. Melancholic, doomy, and varied.
"From the Dark Past" is a fine album indeed, and North proves that they are amongst the best of the bands drawing influence from the second wave Norwegian scene. I just wish they had perhaps put a tad more effort….it's so similar though that you can't exactly say "oh no, another band that released a solid first release and then failed miserable with the follow-up!".
© 1998 brand