The Beginning of the End

Gathering four bands together, this new split effort containing Italian black/death upstarts Krigere Wolf, Austrian black/folk metal newcomers Waldschrat, internationally-based atmospheric black metal group Notre Amertume and a lone track from Portuguese black/Viking metallers Antiquus Scriptum for a wholly enjoyable mixture and variety present. Released January 11, 2015 on Fallen-Angel Productions, this here is as fine a sampler pack ever unleashed for each of these bands and presents most of them in great fashion.

Starting with Krigere Wolf, their pummeling mixture of frantic tremolo-picked black metal with the dexterous tempo-changes and rather pounding rhythms here makes this quite a ferocious beast, making their swirling tremolo patterns at the forefront to create a dynamic and wholly-enjoyable up-tempo assault that rattles along at consistent speeds for maximum impact and devastation while still managing to successfully incorporate the sprawling majestic melodies in the appropriate manners for the perfect augmentation to the ferocity presented elsewhere. This is easily the best band on the split and really has a lot to like with their three blistering tracks.

With Waldschrat, again the omnipresent use of swirling tremolo patterns is at the forefront though instead there’s a far more pronounced blend of folk-influenced arrangements for the riffing. This still carries itself along quite well with plenty of strong and truly ferocious rhythms presented here, but the blasting tendencies are cut in favor of melodic swirling patterns and rather looser-fitting arrangements that are given a raw edge to the overall work with some great harmonic lines throughout which helps this out infinitely more to give another dynamic impact to the music. Some of the longer sprawling sections seem to go on far longer than they really should but overall there’s a lot to like here.

Up next is Notre Amertume and the international project is the clear weak-link in this offering. The simplistic, sluggish nature of their tracks is hardly impressive next to the other works, and their cliched use of celestial-influenced arrangements, plodding drumming and lethargic doom-like sprawling sections predominant in their music isn’t that enjoyable with numerous other bands attempting those elements at far more pronounced and enjoyable mixtures. The main impetus holding them back is the lethargic, lifeless doom-like paces that don’t really give them much room to really express their atmospheric patterns and in the end their three contributions are on the whole eminently skippable.

Finally, Antiquus Scriptum contributes just a lone track, which is a highly enjoyable one even with all the different elements thrown into it. There’s symphonic keyboards, medieval-sounding horn-blasts, swirling tremolo riffing and more in the near-twenty-minute effort, and it does seem like overkill given the track has no need to go that long and really could’ve been trimmed down into a more digest form. Still, the generally up-tempo pace and convergence of influences makes for an overall fun time here and overall there’s a lot of rather enjoyable work here as there’s at least one or two sections present to appeal to most fans.

Though one of these groups is a clear weak-link and doesn't really leave much of a lasting impression, the fact that the remainder of the bands provide not only incredibly fun and exciting work that this ends up being an undeniably effective introduction to these groups as well as those longing for more bands in each of these styles.

The Beginning of the End is a four way split album from South Korean label Fallen-Angels Productions that was released in January 2015. Much like the labels previous splits, The Beginning of the End brings four bands from different countries to unleash a chaotic assault of underground black metal: Krigere Wolf (Italy); Waldschrat (Austria); Notre Amertume (France/Bulgaria); and Antiquus Scriptum (Portugal). Featuring ten tracks and over an hour of music, the split is a little difficult to digest, especially given the closing track is a seventeen minutes, but there is a lot of good music within. Each of the bands bring three tracks to the table, except Antiquus Scriptum, who brought the behemoth closer on board.

Krigere Wolf, an Italian black/death metal act that recently dropped their sophomore album Sacrifice to Valaskjàlf, kicks things off with three track of fiery, trem-driven darkness. Their sound is rather raw and abrasive, fronted by raspy, gravelly barks and a constant barrage of frenetic double kicks and bursts of pummeling blasts. But underneath the chaos lies a keen ear for miasmic melodies and catchy riffing. The band has written their intense tracks with the utmost care, which is evident even through the dark and acerbic production.

Austria’s Waldschrat has a back catalog featuring a mix of pagan black metal and neofolk, but for this split the band steers clear of any type of melodic folk on their contribution, minus a small bit at the end of their offering. Sharp, swirling trem riffs and inventive lead melodies surge forward in a driving style of mid-paced black metal. Waldschrat brings that typical naturalistic and earthy tone that most pagan black metal bands exude, with samples of whipping winds for good measure. The production is crisp and clear for the most part, allowing the melodic trem riffing to be the main focal point.

International black metal duo Notre Amertume has participated in two split albums, this one and another with French atmospheric black metal project Ars Moriendi (Arsonist, the man behind Ars Moriendi, is actually the vocalist for Notre Amertume). The tracks are dense, sounding like the black metal equivalent of a heavy fog rolling down a mountain. Minor key melodies waft through while chunky power chords and mid-tempo percussion stomp across. Their sound borrows from the structuring of atmospheric black metal, the tempo and melody of depressive black metal and the explosiveness of raw black metal. It’s all rolled up into a little ball of angst, but it ends up sounding forced, allowing the atmospheric nature to flit away.

Antiquus Scriptum closes out the split with “Primordium / The Skeptic Beholder”, which was the lead track from their 2013 full length Ars Longa, Vita Brevis… which was released through Pesttanz Klangschmiede. It’s a seventeen minute opus of experimental black metal and viking metal. It’s a strong track, staying interesting throughout its entirety. From the symphonic gallantry of the introduction, to the chunky blackened thrashing and cyclical, melodic trem riffing that follow, Antiquus Scriptum bravely step forth into a flowing style that is progressive without being wanky or overly pretentious. Touches of symphonic flourish and short bits of piano are mixed in as well, steering clear from an overcooked style. The vocals take a bit of getting used to, sounding like a mix of clear, raised voice shouting with a bit of viking-esque timbre.

Waldschrat and Krigere Wolf both offer a quick, yet enjoyable glance at their style. Both bands, while not exactly the most original or exciting black metal bands to rear their heads, leave me wanting to hear more. Antiquus Scriptim, without a doubt, steals the show hear with their flowing, progressively-tinged wall of black/viking metal. I was only vaguely familiar with the band prior to hearing this track, but it has certainly warranted further investigation into their relatively large and sprawling discography. Notre Amertume’s sound is forced and lacking, even more so when compared directly against the other bands on the split. Regardless, The Beginning of the End still boasts some solid tracks by some exceptional bands. If you’re looking to delve further into the black metal underground, this split is a fine place to start.

Written for The Metal Observer.

Despite the difficult market situation, Fallen-Angels Productions releases a sampler. It seems that the Corean guys are either completely crazy or old school as hell (and these options are not mutually exclusive). However, one thing is for sure, this publication makes them likable. Four bands fight in this special "European Song Contest" which - this much can be revealed - does not lack of quality.

The Italians of Krigere Wolf get in the ring at first. Blackened thrash metal is their metier and each and every of their three songs is a massive and vehement assault. Their powerful sound has a sinister touch and the opening riff of the large-sized "War's Ancestral Prophecies" hits the bull's eye before the song transforms into a speed grenade. As far as I see, this fury of eight minutes length marks the best track of the group so far. 80% is an appropriate rating for their pieces that shine with great guitar leads and the right amount of tempo variations, albeit the last number is a little bit at risk to drown in chaos.

Italy and Austria are neighbours and the music of Waldschrat lies in close proximity to that of Krigere Wolf as well. But their lead vocalist prefers a more black metal orientated style. His coarse nagging is hardly understandable, even for a native German speaker. Yet it is more important that his performance intertwines with the morbid leads in a formidable manner. Due to his totalitarian way of expression, this guy would probably be a very good tyrant. But honestly speaking, one dictator from Austria was enough. Anyway, "Wer Wind sät" is a killer track. Unfortunately, the second song lacks a bit of clarity, but due to the sharp mix, all pieces reach at least a more or less convincing level. 75% for Waldschrat.

Notre Amertune, the third group of this compilation, has to struggle in order to be more or less on an equal footing with the previous artists. The ponderous, slow-moving black metal that they offer does not generate a dark maelstrom. The crucial challenge for slow black metal is that its melodies are able to drag the listener into the depth of hell. This is the point where Notre Amertune fail, at least to a certain extent. The final track is a positive exception, because the more the song progresses, the more its atmosphere grows. In addition, the band gets away from its usual composition formula and delivers a short speed section. Nevertheless, the here presented contribution of this international combo is to weak to challenge its competitors successfully. 60% for a solid, but not exciting presentation.

Antiquus Scriptum do not need three tracks to display the whole spectrum of their creativity. They have worked very efficiently and have realized every possible synergy effect. As a consequence, one song is enough. Well, it has a playtime of more than 17 minutes, but this little blemish is of minor relevance. The decisive factor is that these guys from Portugal are obviously totally insane. "Primordium / The Skeptic Beholder" offers so many different parts without lacking of structure that I really do not know why this formation still seems to be absolutely unknown. From the fanfares at the beginning to the variation of the main theme at the end, from the excellently flowing verses to the alarming chorus, everything fits. Despite a few crude moments, this song is (almost) simply perfect. Amongst other things, the masterly use of the chopping keyboards and the variable guitar work shape this monumental diamond from the western end of Europe. Not to mention the original vocal performance that combines dotty casualty with expressiveness or the orchestral, sometimes demonic back vocals. What kind of genre is this? A very special form of black metal, dwarfish and larger than life at the same time? However, I have made a highly intense experience. 95% for the surprise of the year, although the dudes have integrated a short and spooky chamber music section.

As said above, Fallen-Angels Productions has released this album and I fear that nobody will buy it. My friends, listen to what I have to say, just this one time. To ignore this disc would be a great sin of omission, because "The Beginning of the End" shows some of the most interesting, different facets of the pulsating underground. It leaves no doubt that the magic of extreme metal is unbroken and it feels good that true idealists do not care about minor details such as commercial success. Despite or exactly because of this attitude, they deserve our support.