Statements like this always make me wonder: How does this work exactly? What's the logic here? I like later Summoning very much, but still, titles and artwork are nothing. Knowing them early, knowing them late, I don't care. They have no bearing on the quality of the music that is to be found on the album.

super excited, but I hope it's better than Oath Bound, which Land of the Dead aside (probably my favourite summoning track) was way sub-par compared to Mortal Heroes. Overall, pumped and eagerly awaiting a new release by them. At least a bit of it's gonna rule.

I agree. I got tired of (2006) Summoning - Oath Bound pretty fast.

Oath Bound is my favourite! Across the Streaming Tide, Might and Glory, and Land of the Dead are all in my top five Summoning songs. I remember being completely fascinated the first time I heard the album when it came out. I really think the production is something amazing, pretty unique. Can't wait to hear what the sound of Old Mornings Dawn will be, where's that damned sample?

That it's not metal.

^
NAWWWWWWWWW

they should lose that sloppy drum machine and get a real drummer instead.

So pissed off right now. I kept wondering where my Oath Bound and LMHSYP L.P's had got to as it had been ages. I went to the Nuclear Blast website to check the order, and it had got stuck in my shopping cart. Sold out everywhere now

The drumming is part of what makes Summoning so awesome, I don't think it'd work with a real drummer.

Land of the Dead is overrated in my opinion, it is actually the only song in the album I don't really like.

The special drum approach Summoning developed is one of the most distinctive characteristics of their style and a big part of what makes their music unique. Getting rid of it would be retarded. They'd have to rebrand!

Any band can shift gears and put out a worthless album. But Summoning are a good one to bet on, albeit for reasons a bit stronger than art or song titles. These guys are almost unmatched in the world of black metal in terms of songwriting/compositional skill. That said, I'll repeat that anyone can turn into an irrelevant mess - if Morbid Angel did it there are really no boundaries, haha.

The non-metal drumming is a big thing that elevates most of their albums above Stronghold, which featured a bunch of songs with more conventional drumming and was pretty much their worst effort - though not by any means bad.

The motherfucking tracklisting, people!

1. Evernight
2. Flammifer
3. Old Mornings Dawn
4. The white Tower
5. Caradhras
6. Of pale white Morns and darkened Eves
7. The wandering Fire
8. Earthshine

Classic Summoning amazingness.

Wow...first time I've ever encountered anyone labeling Stronghold as Summoning's "worst effort". Quite a shock actually..."to each their own" as they say.

So you prefer the more ambient/repetitive/”movie soundtrack” type songs Summoning puts out…rather than the epic/climax building/layer laden songs? I think Stronghold has the perfect cohesion of both really. Oath Bound seems like its striving more for the former and teeters on the tedious side at times…especially since a lot of the synth lines are just not that catchy. That’s why I suppose “Land of the Dead” is admired so much because the song captures that perfect balance middle-era Summoning is known for…that song just builds and builds and builds and unravels so many different layers. The song’s composition is simply stunning.

Pretty sure anyone could make Summoning tracklists in their sleep. I guess all it does suggest really is that new Summoning will probably sound rather similar to old summoning.

Yeah, it's been a while, but there are a couple of songs where they really mess up with the drum patterns. The intro track, the first proper song and the last song are all great though and I can't say any of the songs there are less than good. But if I would have to nominate the worst one...

In addition to the tracklisting that Razakel posted are the two bonus tracks "The Darkening of Valinor" and "With Fire and Sword". Both will be on the limited cd version (thankfully) and LP. Interested to hear 'With Fire and Sword' as it is a leftover track from the Oath Bound sessions.