Black Metal wasn’t born in Norway, Greece, France, Sweden or Finland in the early days of the 90s (in reality, this is the Second Wave of Black Metal, when the genre came back from the grave after years seeming to be dead and gone), but’s clear that all the scenes named above (and more others) helped the genre to gain a new set of elements that refreshed things and earned Black Metal a new life. And if one wants to check as Black Metal evolved since the early days of the 90s, a good tip is to check works of bands of those days, and “For Those Who Stay” - the seventh and new full-length of the French pioneers of GORGON - can be a fine opportunity to do such thing.

Hearing the songs, one can be sure that the band searched for a organic and sinister sonority that could earn the songs that Old School Black Metal feeling (all supported by the choice of rusty and nasty instrumental tunes), but worked in a way that has a massive impact and is defined (what means that no one can complain of not understanding what the band plays). And as guest, here is Herastratos (NOX IRAE’s singer) on vocals of two songs. The eerie ambiences and aggressive appeal of Black Metal on its Second Wave are clear on the band’s music. It’s clear that elements of some old days of LLN and other features of those days are clear, but even today, they still seem to be trying themselves and pushing limits, what brings a refreshing and renewed energy and appeal to the band’s music. Yes, it’s really very good.

“For Those Who Stay” (the contrasts between aggressive parts and somber melodies are amazing, all based on excellent guitar riffs and nasty shrieks), “Tod. Mort. Death.”, “Next to the Mill” (some excellent rhythmic shifts can be heard on this one), “Hypnotic Fire” (a solid rhythmic wall is created by bass guitar and drums on this sharp and blackened song with clear Hardcore traces), “Vatican’s Fall” (a brutal and fast song with charming vocals), “The Art of Dying” (pay attention to the darkened melodies weaved by the guitars), “Despicable Beggars, “Shelter” (another moment when the Hardcore roots of Black Metal are exposed, with excellent blast beats), “When It Rains in Hell”, “Troops of the Fallen” (an excellent moment used as official video for the album, and the feeling of the old days is here) and “Deserters as Prey” form a homogeneous set of songs that will surely make the Black Metal fans have massive heart attacks!

It’s great to see that GORGON is alive and working in such a great way. Listen to “For Those Who Stay” and enjoy!