Serpent's Embrace

I'll begin with a very simple remark: take out Solitude and this is an excellent album. Probably, to many metal-heads out there, this melody dragged the album to a very low mark. However, I'm not your everyday metal-head. I'm an open minded metal-head so to speak :). Thus, I will judge the album my way, as all of you do.

Agathodaimon were always a pretty good black metal band. Lately (specially starting from Chapter III) they added some female vocals to the sound (I really don't like the "Sacred Divinity" melody from that album). This is not the case with "Solitude". This is 80% not metal. But it's a good song nevertheless. Of course, depends to how much tolerant you can be. I can be quite a lot, and if it sounds good, I don't care if it's symphonic, black or heavy. If it sounds good and it's not silly, then it's ok. And as far as the lyrics are concerned, "Solitude" is ok and is far from the silly-barrier. Also, the song generates quite an important effect, bringing a breeze of silence in the violence of the album just before heading both-feet in "Limbs Of A Stare" which is one of the most brutal offerings on the release. The contrast between the two is striking to say the least and the combination is well thought.

The vocals of Akaias are within the norm of Black Metal and they're perfect for the job at hand. As for the instrumental and creative side, Serpent's Embrace is the best piece of record these fellows ever made. Original, diverse, symphonic and aggressive. Nevermind "Solitude", even with that, it's a good record, different from the rest and this is what makes a band challanging and entertaining. Agathodaimon evolved, bringing new elements into their sound and this is something to be encouraged everywhere we see it.