To Whatever End / Enslaved in Evil Darkness

Valar's portion ...

Sounds like Summoning? Yep. Though I find the drum programming to be not quite as annoying. There is even a really fast blast in the third track, which manages to sound very tolerable. Well, where to start ...

As I said, it is very similar to Summoning. Very harmonic, layered fantasy black metal. Somewhat typical high pitched gurgling black metal vocals, with baritone spoken parts for theatrical effect. In the former, it sounds like he is trying to sound like Gollum from the Lord of the Rings movies. Plenty of medieval instruments here and there. The second track is nothing more than a segue, though the ambient keyboard effects are used quite nicely over an otherwise repetitious segue track.

The third track, Deadwood Burnind (Is it supposed to be Deadwood Burning?) I really enjoy. It succeeds very well in sounding triumphant and somehow (don't ask me how) very reminiscent of Middle Earth and Lord of the Rings. It even sounds quite power metal at the beginning, despite it's black/ambient framework. The keyboards on this track remind me of Skyfire actually, which is not necessarily good, but it is so well suited for this track. It changes from dark and foreboding to victorious and war/folk metal sounding, adding a great listenablitlity to the song.

Ultimately, this is not my style, as it is a) not aggressive enough for my normal taste and mood, b) relies more on keyboard than guitar. However, that doesn't stop me from enjoying it. It is very atmospheric, and true to it's theme. I would have to recommend it for fans of this style.

Ur-Kai's portion ...

This stuff is much more atmospheric than the stuff just before it. Relying heavily on sound effects, even to the point of them being as or more prevalent as chords and melodies.

The first track is extremely atmospheric. Pure ambience. No drums, guitar, vocals or bass. Just mystical, dark, wondrous sounding keyboard. A great opener.

The rest is more of the same, but with actual music weaving it’s way in and out. It sounds like that’s a derogatory remark, but it’s actually not. The ambience and music flow together back and forth. The music itself is the essence of darker sounding “fantasy” music - really it sounds to me like what you’d hear on a video game. A fantasy based role playing game, if you’re familiar. Sounds nerdy, but it is well executed, and dramatic. If only the volume would be brought up and the instruments could be brought to the front, it would sound like a true soundtrack to an epic movie.

This, upon first listen, would seem not to be my style, but metal taste aside, I have been in the mood for something like this. Enchanting, dark, ambient music that takes you away to another world.

All together, I enjoyed this much more than I thought I would. Both bands brought enormous atmosphere that I certainly wouldn't have expected having read the other review by these bands.I would have to think fans of this genre would like this a lot. For casual fans, I’d say if you’re in the mood, certainly give it a try.