Where Shadows Forever Reign

If one were to try and imagine a black metal band that fits each of the sub-genre's stereotypes and gimmicks, Dark Funeral probably come about as close as any to ticking just about every box. From band members with daft pseudonyms covered in corpse paint and dressed in medieval battle armour, to Satanic lyrics and themes, and music involving blast beats, tremolo-picked guitars, high-pitched harsh vocals and barely-audible bass guitar. Oh, and don't forget the odd controversy in their extensive history. But if you're going to define black metal's stereotypes, then you might as well be good at what you do, and thankfully that's just what Dark Funeral are.

Admittedly, Where Shadows Forever Reign is the only Dark Funeral album I've listened to in full, and my exposure to their other material is limited to the odd song and what I heard in their live setlist when I caught their set at a festival about a year ago. I've seen and heard it considered that this was something of a comeback album after a couple of less-than-impressive records led into a seven-year studio drought, during which long-standing vocalist Emperor Magus Caligula departed and was replaced by Heljarmadr. I haven't heard enough of his predecessor to make a comparison between the two, Heljarmadr is a fine black metal vocalist and more than gets the job done here, his rasp delivering the required power whilst simultaneously keeping the lyrics comprehensible.

While Heljarmadr's vocals are the focal point, more often than not, it is hard to overlook the guitar work laid down by axemen Lord Ahriman and Chaq Mol. Having played together for over a decade by this point, they are a well-synchronised duo, churning out a wide variety of blistering, frostbitten riffs, power chords and full barre chords, usually (but not always) tremelo-picked, all over the fearsome drumming of the appropriately named Dominator behind the kit. Of course, all this would be for naught if the music wasn't up to scratch, but Lord Ahriman fully displays his songwriting chops in what is a highly diverse selection of songs. Much of the music is highly melodic and melancholy, and the album is given space to breathe from its usual blistering pace with mid-tempo numbers such as 'Temple of Ahriman' and 'As I Ascend'. The result is an album that flows very nicely from start to finish, and its 45 minute runtime spread across nine tricks is enough to make it feel satisfying without overstaying its welcome.

Of course, lyrically, Where Shadows Forever Reign is built upon the usual black metal themes of eternal night, Hell, Satan, evil and whatnot. But let's face it, if you're listening to Dark Funeral, it probably means it's not your first exposure to black metal, and are thus either invested in these themes or simply don't care and are in it for the music. So don't cry 'cringey' or 'edgelords' when you know exactly what you're getting into.

Lastly, a note on the fantastic artwork. It perfectly encapsulates the mood and atmosphere that this record is going for, with the Middle-Earth inspiration both obvious and welcome. Whatever you think of black metal, one cannot deny that it often comes hand-in-hand with great artwork.

Overall, Where Shadows Forever Reign is a solid, consistent album that boasts enough song diversity to be an enjoyable listen from start to finish. Dark Funeral might not be the most original or inventive black metal band out there, but they know exactly what they are good at and want to do, and do it with aplomb here.

Recommended tracks - 'Unchain My Soul', 'Temple of Ahriman', 'The Eternal Eclipse'