Genre: Black Metal
Label: Wine and Fog Production
Line Up:
After a demo and a split album, the Apulian band
Azog have finally released their first full-length record: "Ab Chai Ruinis".
The album, with a total duration of about a half an hour, contains eight tracks with strong references to old school Black Metal.
Right from the start, it's like being transported back to the nineties:
after a brief intro, the listener gets overwhelmed by those typical old school sounds reminiscent of the times in which Black Metal was developing and drawing inspiration from a contaminated Death Metal.
The guitars weave linear and direct riffs, almost predictable for those who have followed the genre for some time; in the sound, the mid frequencies stand out, however, they are effective in the composition even if not particularly elaborate.
Drums are efficient in accompanying the listener through this Black Metal journey,
even though the drumming gets a little less sharp and precise in some of the faster Blast Beats.
Bass, on the other hand, seems to be a bit lost behind and unfortunately, the (not very balanced) mixing doesn't help.
The singing is valid, with very rough and well-structured screaming;
Particularly interesting is the occasional use of the acoustic guitar, with its warm sounds and capability to break the linearity
of the song, giving it even more energy in the reprise.
A genuine debut, in which it's perceivable the passion for the genre and the nostalgia that comes with it.
It's safe to say that this album was made especially for faithful admirers of the sounds of the past.
Andrea B.
