Geasa
Angel's Cry
[Season Of Mist]
Now THIS is what I mean by innovative black metal!! Following the footsteps of
fellow barmy black-metallers Primordial and Waylander, this lot mix up lots of
energy and authenticity into this promising debut.
Molding a host of influences (of which Primordial, Cruachan, Waylander and Gehenna seem more apparent than most) with a folk/celtic avant-garde edge, it can be said that Geasa peddle a black metal that no other generic band can come close to touching in terms of originality.
Gloomy, mournful, synth-laden melancholia rings in the warm guitar lines, building up to driving crescendos littered with catchy, hypnotic drum rhythms, and the vocals….well let’s say that they take a while to get used to. The vocalist shows an enormous amount of range and diversity on the album, and for that he deserves massive kudos.
Employing wails all the way from Simen croons, quirky Celtic folk drones, Ihsahn impersonations and very occasionally, the low-throated bellow. True, just like King Diamond, the eccentric vocal stylistics take at least two listens to sink in properly, but when they do you realize the potent talent that the vocalist holds in his lungs. Only complaint is, the black metal vocals sound a tad weak and uninspired at times, akin to label mates And Oceans. If the vocalist could truly rip out some hate with the vox to accompany his epic warbling that would make a flawless performance.
One of the standout characteristics of Geasa is, like label mates Seth their uncanny ability to meld hypnotic drum rhythms (with an abstinence from the cliched tribal drum beats, and a charming simplicity that avoids the tinny blastbeat ), dancing synths and all-round supreme song structure to yield massive, epic, hook-y songs that don’t sound their length ( very long songs in general, upwards of 7 minutes). The CD is just one of the most damn addictive discs you’ll hear all year.
Lyrically, as with all black metal bands, Geasa is a tad ludicrous, but hey, this is BLACK METAL realm of fantasy and escape!! They tend to go off on some sci-fi (ala Hypocrisy) and folk tales in equal measure, and these are presented on one very, very ace and slick (as in oily, haha) vinyl sleeve.
What else can I say? Well presented, well orchestrated, exceptionally played. Well done, lads.
[8.5]
© 2000 equimanthorn
Molding a host of influences (of which Primordial, Cruachan, Waylander and Gehenna seem more apparent than most) with a folk/celtic avant-garde edge, it can be said that Geasa peddle a black metal that no other generic band can come close to touching in terms of originality.
Gloomy, mournful, synth-laden melancholia rings in the warm guitar lines, building up to driving crescendos littered with catchy, hypnotic drum rhythms, and the vocals….well let’s say that they take a while to get used to. The vocalist shows an enormous amount of range and diversity on the album, and for that he deserves massive kudos.
Employing wails all the way from Simen croons, quirky Celtic folk drones, Ihsahn impersonations and very occasionally, the low-throated bellow. True, just like King Diamond, the eccentric vocal stylistics take at least two listens to sink in properly, but when they do you realize the potent talent that the vocalist holds in his lungs. Only complaint is, the black metal vocals sound a tad weak and uninspired at times, akin to label mates And Oceans. If the vocalist could truly rip out some hate with the vox to accompany his epic warbling that would make a flawless performance.
One of the standout characteristics of Geasa is, like label mates Seth their uncanny ability to meld hypnotic drum rhythms (with an abstinence from the cliched tribal drum beats, and a charming simplicity that avoids the tinny blastbeat ), dancing synths and all-round supreme song structure to yield massive, epic, hook-y songs that don’t sound their length ( very long songs in general, upwards of 7 minutes). The CD is just one of the most damn addictive discs you’ll hear all year.
Lyrically, as with all black metal bands, Geasa is a tad ludicrous, but hey, this is BLACK METAL realm of fantasy and escape!! They tend to go off on some sci-fi (ala Hypocrisy) and folk tales in equal measure, and these are presented on one very, very ace and slick (as in oily, haha) vinyl sleeve.
What else can I say? Well presented, well orchestrated, exceptionally played. Well done, lads.
[8.5]
© 2000 equimanthorn