Reckoning, the
Deathlike Millennia ()
Wydane przez Shiver RecordsRok wydania Kraj BelgiumNapisał Wouter7
This is the second full length for Belgium’s The Reckoning (an Iced Earth reference, perhaps?) after a number of razorsharp underground black metal demos and their debut “Sculptured Humans” under the Infernal Legion moniker. Recorded at Hertz Studios in Poland “Deathlike Millennia” is graced with the high quality production that we have come to expect from this studio and this really accentuates the many facets that make up The Reckoning’s sound. Situated somewhere alongside “Winds Of Creation” era Decapitated, “Revelations” era Vader (groove, slower thrashy parts) and “Awakening Of the Liar” era Hate (the blast sections, mainly) with occasional influences of mid-nineties Scandinavian black metal. While they may not yet be as technically accomplished as above bands, the music presented here is of incredible quality. All 9 tracks plus the intro (lifted from the hit stealth/assassination game “Hitman: Contracts”) show a band with considerable international potential. The only thing amiss here is fitting artwork. The current black-white artwork fits with the band’s nihilistic lyrical content and the general desolate atmosphere that the album permeates. However, it isn’t really something that makes the album stand out from the masses. Had artwork by someone like Jacek Wisniewski (Vader, Grave, Centurian) or Niklas Sundin (Detonation, Dark Tranquility) graced this record, I would have rated it even higher. The Reckoning might not be the most original or technical band around – but what they do sounds convincing enough. Tracks worthy of your undivided attention: ‘Deviant’, ‘Rage and Modern Heresy’, ‘Nonentity’ and ‘Devour the Origin’. ‘Nihilist Campaign (the Zero Absolution)’ even reminded me of that great Belgian modern black metal band Panchrysia in its closing act. This album comes highly recommended.
www.thereckoning.be
