ANCIENT NORTH
Altior Philosophia
(Morbid Chapel Records)
58:50min

No question, the band name says it all. Starting with the cover, which looks like it was taken in the basement of Euronymous’s legendary “Helvete” record store in the early ’90s, to the upside down cross, morning stars and font, all three elements taken from GORGOROTH. As easy as these framework conditions make it for the listeners, the music respectively the entire album still offers some problems. “Altior Philosophia” starts with an intro named ‘Introit’, a boring soundcape. Then the first track ‘Through Snow And Conifers’ surprises the listener with clean singing and a thin guitar sound, reminding me of the “Vinterskugge” demo compilation by ISENGARD. What is offered here at the beginning is not typical Black Metal. Luckily, ANCIENT NORTH then switch to genuine Black Metal, but with the thin guitars and clear vocals making an appearance at the end of the song. The next six songs impress with shimmering tremolo picking guitars, high-speed drumming and screaming vocals. So far, so good. But similar to the beginning, the end of the album also inherits a disturbing moment. The last real song ‘Odium Et Contemptus’ ends with five minutes idle running, then is followed by two tracks, which are nothing more than a collection of noises or sounds, not even usable for a soundtrack. Absolutely unnecessary, a waste of time. Without the intro, the two outros and the five minutes of idle time, the album would be fifteen minutes shorter and definitely more entertaining, because it would be more down to the point. Black Metal enthusiasts who want to know everything from this genre will probably already have the band on their list. Everyone else should stick to the originals from the early days of the second wave of Black Metal. For more information please visit: https://theancientnorth.bandcamp.com, www.morbidchapelrecords.com

Mirco Szymyslik

Mirco Szymyslik

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