🎵 Tracklist:
Track 1: Archaic Magick (After the Red Sun)
Track 2: Endless Night and Eternal End
Track 3: Revocation of Spectral Paths
Track 4: The Storm Rode Beyond the Firmament
Track 5: Nocturnal Deities of Winter
Track 6: Beyond the Cenotaph of Mankind
🎸 Album Review:
Swedish death/doom metal veterans Runemagick have returned with their latest offering ‘Beyond The Cenotaph Of Mankind’, a six-track opus that delves deep into the dark realms of occultism and cosmic horror. Released on the esteemed label Century Media Records, this album showcases the band’s mastery of creating a brooding atmosphere while delivering heavy, crushing riffs and haunting melodies.
From the moment the opening track ‘Archaic Magick (After the Red Sun)’ kicks in, listeners are enveloped in a dense fog of ominous guitar riffs and thunderous drumming. The production on this album is top-notch, allowing each instrument to shine through the mix while still maintaining a sense of foreboding atmosphere. The vocals of Nicklas Rudolfsson are guttural and haunting, adding an extra layer of darkness to the music.
One of the standout tracks on the album is ‘Endless Night and Eternal End’, a slow-burning epic that builds tension with its repetitive riffs and eerie melodies. The song gradually unfolds, revealing layers of complexity and depth that draw the listener in and refuse to let go. The interplay between the guitars and drums is particularly impressive on this track, creating a sense of impending doom that is both captivating and unsettling.
Another highlight is ‘Nocturnal Deities of Winter’, a track that showcases Runemagick’s ability to blend melody and aggression seamlessly. The icy guitar leads and pummeling drums create a sense of icy desolation, evoking images of frozen landscapes and ancient gods. The band’s penchant for crafting memorable hooks is on full display here, with the chorus lingering in the listener’s mind long after the song has ended.
The title track ‘Beyond the Cenotaph of Mankind’ serves as the album’s epic conclusion, a sprawling masterpiece that encapsulates everything that makes Runemagick such a force in the death/doom metal scene. The song weaves together elements of blackened atmosphere, crushing riffs, and haunting melodies to create a sonic journey that is both captivating and unsettling. The band’s proficiency in creating a sense of unease through their music is on full display here, making this track a fitting conclusion to the album.
Compared to Runemagick’s previous albums, ‘Beyond The Cenotaph Of Mankind’ sees the band pushing their sound further into the realms of darkness and despair. While their earlier works had a more straightforward death metal approach, this album showcases a more nuanced and atmospheric sound that sets them apart from their peers in the genre. The band’s evolution is evident in the songwriting and production, with each track feeling meticulously crafted and thoughtfully arranged.
Overall, ‘Beyond The Cenotaph Of Mankind’ is a masterful display of death/doom metal at its finest. Runemagick have delivered an album that is both crushing and atmospheric, drawing listeners into a world of ancient magick and cosmic horror. With its haunting melodies, crushing riffs, and foreboding atmosphere, this album is sure to captivate fans of dark and atmospheric metal. Runemagick have once again proven why they are a force to be reckoned with in the metal underground, and ‘Beyond The Cenotaph Of Mankind’ stands as a testament to their enduring legacy in the genre.