Black Anvil – Regenesis
Black Anvil – Regenesis
Season of Mist
Release Date: 04/11/22
Running Time: 50:05
Review by Rick Eaglestone
7/10
Six years after their last album, New York’s Black Anvil look to progress in their ever-evolving sound with their latest studio album “Regenesis”.
Opening the album is easily a soundscape that would not have been misplaced in the most recent Hellraiser adaptation. ‘The Gates Of Brass’ drips woefully before hooks are unleased at full force with ‘In Two’ and that familiarity is back like no time has passed at all.
Highlight track of the album appears in the form of ‘The Bet’. It’s laden with fury and bile that sweeps into a slower, brooding atmosphere and early Swallow The Sun doom tinges. ‘8-bit Terror’ demonstrates that the band aren’t afraid to spread their wings – although as a kid who grew up with the C64 then Megadrives I’m secretly disappointed that the track isn’t in the format the title suggests.
Moving up a gear into unadulterated black metal elements again, ‘29’ sneaks in some blackened death style with riffs and chant-like vocals that are paired well with the melodic ballad approach taken with ‘Silver Steele’.
What I am particularly enjoying is the balance of styles that are peppered throughout the album as although there are the more experimental soundscapes being explored the band keep USBM at their core. The almost pastoral End Of Days sample mid-way through only adds to the bleak aesthetic of the album.
Almost going full November’s Doom into ‘Echoes Tapestry’ took me by surprise but it was only a smokescreen for the familiar modern black metal sound that awaits. Another short soundscape ‘VV’ swirls with its electronic drum patterns into ‘NYC Nightmares’ which feature Danny ‘Ezec’ Diablo on guest vocal duties.
The album is concluded with ‘Grant Us His Love’ and title track ‘Regenesis’ which confirms the bands most existential offering to date.
‘8 Bit Terror’ Official Video
TRACKLISTING:
01. The Gates of Brass
02. In Two
03. The Bet
04. 8-bit Terror
05. 29
06. Silver Steele
07. Castrum Doloris
08. Echoes Tapestry
09. VV
10. NYC Nightmares
11. Grant Us His Love
12. Regenesis
LINE-UP:
R – Drums
P – Bass/Vocals
J – Guitar
LINKS:
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