Sweden's Setherial are back with their fifth album (and first for Candlelight Records) titled Death Triumphant. Formed back in the early 90's, Setherial is made up of current members of Naglfar, Blackwind, In Battle, and Bewitched, so the black metal pedigree is certainly there. This latest release is very mid-90's sounding black metal, complete with rampaging blast beats, furious tremelo picked guitars, occasional synths, and screeching vocals. Sonically speaking, it's pretty impressive stuff overall, with tracks like the title track and "With Veins Wide Open" really hitting hard and providing some seriously brutal drama. After a few spins though, it's obvious that the one thing this album lacks is variety. Too many of the songs sound exactly the same as each other, with the guitar riffs and blast beats staying at the same tempo and in many cases the melodies are almost identical. "Inhale the Embers" is a perfect example of this-on its own it's a great black metal anthem, complete with crushing riffs and furious drum blasts, but by the time you get to it (it's track seven) you've already gone through six other pieces that tread similar paths.
Honestly though, Death Triumphant is a solid black metal album that is definitely worth a listen. Adding more varied riffs, plus some extra keys, might have helped a little here raise this above the norm. With such excellent black metal bands out there like Dimmu Borgir, Borknagar, Satyricon, Marduk, Old Man's Child, Cradle of Filth, Arcturus, Bal-Sagoth, Thyrane, and of course Naglfar, Setherial will have to do a little more next time around to really make black metal fans take notice.
Track Listing
1. The Limbo Of Insanity
2. Death Triumphant
3. With Veins Wide Open
4. Aeons Of Bloodlust
5. Relinquishment From The Unlighted Chambers
6. Headstorms Over The Empyrean
7. Inhale The Embers
8. Devilry, Wickedness And Scorn
9. Curse Of The Manifest
10. För Dem Mitt Blod (bonus)
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