Metal Mind Productions continues their remastering of the Agathodaimon back catalog, here we have the 1999 Nuclear Blast release Higher Art of Rebellion, the band's second release after their successful debut Blacken the Angel. Though their brand of gothic, symphonic black metal is still in full force here, the band decided to record much of the album with Romanian vocals, mixing the vocals of original singer Vlad with new vocalist Akaias for a varied effect. The results are a very powerful album, fueled by plenty of orchestral keyboards, chugging guitar riffs, and dramatic, growling vocals. Comparisons to Moonspell are inevitable, but Agathodaimon are much more symphonic, close to Dimmu Borgir in that regard, yet the romantic tone of the clean vocals combined with the snarling black metal shrieks instantly remind of the South American legends.
Plenty of powerful material here on Higher Art of Rebellion, swirling keys colliding with bone crunching riffs on "Death In Its Plentitude", the band's black metal roots pummeling the landscape on "Tongue of Thorns", and "Body of Clay" an addicting, melodic, gothic metal gem. If it's straight forward black metal you crave, check out the boiling, churning "Back Into the Shadows", Akaias' vocals dripping with venom while furious tremelo picked guitar riffs scorch the earth. The band even tackles pure death metal fury on "Heaven's Coffin", a crushing number with plenty of guitar thunder, spooky pipe organ, and haunting vocal growls.
It's a shame that Agathodaimon have yet to set the world on fire with their excellent back catalog, because the material is really that good. If you didn't check this band out when they first hit the scene, with these superb remaster/reissues from Metal Mind, you really should.
Track Listing
1. Ne Cheama Pamintul - (Romanian)
2. Tongue of Thorns
3. Glasul Artei Viitoare
4. When She Is Mute
5. Death in Its Plenitude, A - (Romanian)
6. Body of Clay - (remix)
7. Novus Ordo Seclorum
8. Back Into the Shadows
9. Les Posedes - (Romanian)
10. Neovampirism - (Romanian)
11. Heaven's Coffin
12. Ribbons /Requiem '99
13. Body of Clay - (remix)