There’s definitely a hint of the occult about this piece of Black Metal from Austria. “Apparitional Echoes for the Vord” starts with an eerie chant before launching into more traditional bile. The second track “Wounds of Worship” is old style underproduced Black Metal with strident guitars but also a hymn-like harshness. The songs or “psalms” as they call them have a religious flavour, and the guitar passages are dark throughout. At the same time it’s all pretty minimal. The style reminds me of Burzum, Marduk and maybe a bit of Gorgoroth but Stormnatt do not reach those heights or frankly, anywhere near it. The track “Crimson Sacrament” comprises raw and basic Black Metal. The pace and delivery have the air of Burzum at times but there just isn’t the power or all embracing evil. Instead of capturing me, I just had a neutral reaction. It mostly rumbles on at a not over fast speed with appropriate growls. “The Omega Illumination” has a good melody, and the guitar work ensures it bounces along nicely. The first bit of originality I heard was on the last track “Upon the Shower of Solitude Part III”. The distorted and warbling wolf-like vocals capture the attention and work well with the rhythm so it’s not ridiculous and ended the album on a high note.

For me, “The Crown Sacrament” lacked personality. The band make the right noises and sounds and it’s not a bad piece of Black Metal but I wouldn’t describe it as memorable and I certainly wouldn’t put in the top division of the genre.

http://www.myspace.com/stormnatt
http://www.ashenproductions.net

Andrew Doherty

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