For all the things that black metal gets a bad rap
for, there are certainties that come with virtually
all releases in the genre: Unexpected compositional
turns, sounds that surprise you with their
sinisterness and top-notch riffs. Forlorn is one of
the bands that can claim a secure spot within the
black metal pantheon, a band that delivers on its
promises and promises to deliver their own utterly
frightening, blackened vision of the world.
Some of the best moments here include the doomy
riffing of "Agony Defiled," the tricky,
almost-vintage-Metallica (think "Creeping Death") or
Them-era King Diamond "Cubes" or the buzzsaw riffing of "Abuse." And while I don't often linger long on cover art, the work of Tor Sereide that graces Hybernation is among one of my favorite black metal covers to date. You could do worse than own this album.