Forged in Barcelona, Gjallarhorn’s
Wrath emerges from the ashes of Oblivion,
a band that had once marked its presence in the Spanish black metal scene. Oblivion carried a strong atmospheric identity,
performing alongside bands like Ancient,
before disbanding when its members pursued different paths. Years later, the
founding trio of Lord Ashler, Arash, and Javi Iron regrouped,
joined by new frontman Alex, forming a fresh
entity with broader vision and larger scope. With Javi
Iron’s experience in film scoring and the band’s desire for greater
sonic grandeur, Gjallarhorn’s Wrath now
delivers music that balances extreme aggression with orchestral depth. Their
signing with Non Serviam Records gave them
the platform to finally present their debut full-length, “The Silver Key”.
“The Silver
Key” is a 47-minute plunge into the union of black and death metal ferocity
with orchestral and cinematic layers. The opening “At The Center Of Infinity”
works as a dramatic prelude, leading straight into the storm that unfolds
across the following tracks. Songs like “Wiccan Wyrd” and “The Abysswalker” present
the band’s fast riffing paired with sweeping keys, while “Mistletoe’s Secret”
and “Fangs Of Fate” bring ritualistic atmospheres and melodic undertones into
the chaos. Orchestral backdrops never suppress the guitars or drums, instead
serving as an extension of the violence, painting the music with a
larger-than-life scale.
Overall,
the production delivers intensity without sacrificing atmosphere. Guitars
maintain their bite, drums are relentless, and the magnificent orchestral
passages provide a sweeping presence that widens the sound. Vocals shift
between piercing black metal shrieks and guttural death growls, giving the
album vocal variety that matches its instrumental ambition.
Gjallarhorn’s Wrath has presented a debut that captures their vision of merging the extremes
of metal with symphonic elements, in a way that’s consistent and deliberate.
“The Silver Key” establishes the band as a serious addition to the European
extreme metal landscape and sets the stage for what they can build upon in the
future. This release is likely to resonate with fans of Dimmu Borgir, Septicflesh,
and Carach Angren strongly, while it’s the sound
of a band stepping firmly into a new chapter with focus and ambition.
Score: 8.3
No comments:
Post a Comment