Artist: Thulcandra
Title: Fallen Angel's Dominion
Type: Album
Label: Napalm Records

Starting out in 2003 and plagued with tragedy in 2005, roll on a couple of years and the Evil twins Tobias and Sebastian Ludwig (of Helfahrt) rekindle Germany’s Thulcandra (perhaps a reference to the Darkthrone demo?). Having previously paying homage to the mighty Dissection; gone but never forgotten in many people’s eyes, Thulcandra’s direction reeks of the aforementioned, Unanimated and the hybrid of Swedish black/death metal in general. Upon first listen, I am taken aback I have to listen again. In fact, over the course of a week this has been my most played album. Therefore it is safe to conclude that this album is pleasing.

‘Fallen Angels Dominion’ blasts into action and quickly establishes itself as one of the outstanding features of this album. Following Swedish paths whilst crossing borders into some Windir territory. A gruff expression of filth is spouted lyrically whilst the sense of winter forests and cold lakes take over your mind and transcends you into the bands musical world rather effortlessly, displayed triumphantly on the track ‘Frozen Kingdom’. ‘Everlasting Fire’ introduces itself in a haunting fashion, the guitar tone cold and bleak but heavily melodic, the depth of character fattened further with the combination of major and minor chords, but not forgetting a relentless display of drumming prowess. The artwork itself could however be mistaken as a piece of Dissection’s work. Whilst a wonderful piece of art, one thinks this takes their efforts that little bit too close to the mark (not surprisingly as it is a commission of Kristian Wĺhlin, a.k.a. Necrolord, whom has also previously worked with Emperor and the aforementioned major influence), but in itself, everything you want from a metal album cover.

The majestic intro can only mean one thing. Paying homage to their peers, ‘The Somberlain’ is well received and a great end to a wondrous piece of flowing melodic blackened madness. Evil and aggressive yet quite melancholy in places, ‘Fallen Angel’s Dominion’ has gone near the top of my albums of the year thus far, and if music of this quality is your flavour, then surely it will be close to yours too. Thulcandra may be new Satanists on the block in recording terms but man do they know how to play classic tunes. Forget your folky or your necro underground black metal, this take and slant on the genre mix is truly an awe-inspiring release of classic Swedish death/black metal. Be on the lookout for this release in June.

http://www.myspace.com/thulcandrametal
http://www.napalmrecords.com/