Source of Eternal Darkness
Oldlands
In South America, the Old School Metal genres form a strong scene into the Metal scenario. But Black Metal bands in such format prefer to stay hidden into the depths of the underground, trying to evade problems to deal with many people who won't understand what they are up to with their music. And OLDLANDS, from Paraná, comes with their first full length, "Source of Eternal Darkness". Old School Black Metal in the way of the SWOBM, taking inspiration on earlier works of bands as ANCIENT, OLD MAN'S CHILD, MARDUK and others. Then, the listener can expect a simple (but good) technical approach, a raw and bitter set of musical ambiances, and even some darkened and funereal melodies. And it will call the attention of all who listen to it, because "Source of Eternal Darkness" exhales honesty and energy.
As anyone can expect, the sonority of the album is crude and putrid in a way to fit on Old School Black Metal paradigms, but not in a way that it can't be understood. Yes, the organic and filthy feeling of the past is presented on all the songs, but always guided by the idea that you need to be understood in your musical expression. It's a matter of "know-how" thing. If you're a Black metal fan that misses the 90's, "Source of Eternal Darkness" was done for you, and songs as "Prayers for Nothing" (a sinister and crude track, with a somber beginning, but with an abrasive aggressiveness comes after and invading the ears, filling them with nasty and raw melodies), "Rotten Nazarene" (with a brutal and straight energy, faster than the previous one and done with easy guitar riffs), "I Just Want to Die" (with a darkened ambiance, this song is filled with a very good work from bass guitar and drums, and with the vocals being shared by Vox Morbidus and Profanuz Daiamon), "The Real Face of Penury" (a crude blow in SWOBM way, with good simple rhythmic changes), and "The Chosen One" (that kind of Black Metal song that shows old influences from Hardcore) are the best ones. But take a listening on "Metal Maldito", a personal version of OLDLANDS to an old song of ESCARAVELHO DO DIABO. But when hearing the album, have in mind that besides it seems to have only two songs, there are 8 (for on each track).
On their first album, OLDLANDS shows that that have enough talent to be hailed as a fine Black Metal piece. Hear "Source of Eternal Darkness" and enjoy the trip into Old School darkness. And you can hear the album on the band's Bancamp:
https://oldlands.bandcamp.com/album/source-of-eternal-darkness
8 / 10
Excellent
Songwriting
Musicianship
Memorability
Production
"Source of Eternal Darkness" Track-listing:
1. Prayers for Nothing
2. Rotten Nazarene
3. Field of Victory
4. I Just Want to Die
5. The Real Face of Penury
6. Obscuring My Thoughts
7. The Chosen One
8. Metal Maldito (Escaravelho do Diabo tribute)
Oldlands Lineup:
Vox Morbidus - Vocals, Guitars, Bass, Keyboards, Drums
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