ALBUM REVIEW: A Beast To Praise – Dark Funeral
A live album is something that if treated correctly, can be truly unique. It is the chance to share a concert experience with people who are not able to attend a tour or a certain specific gig. The trick to a successful live release is to fully immerse the listener in the contents of the album, so that the release does not sound like an album, but rather a live show, and this is something that DARK FUNERAL already know, as their latest live album, A Beast To Praise sounds as if the listener is transported directly to Sweden for the gig the black metal outfit chose to record. A feat most artists usually fail to capture.
Just like with any show, the opener is crucial to set the mood for the rest of the event, and the choice of opening with Unchain My Soul is perfect as it is both melancholic yet sets the pace and the vibe for what is to come later within this experience. The full concert intro is included which means you get to hear every reaction as to when each of the five-piece walks onstage. Those who have followed this band for years, know how intricate their instrumentation can be sometimes, and this opening proves that they can easily back this up live, with the time signature and drum beat changes being executed nearly flawlessly. Vocalist Heljarmadr delivers his first stand out performance here, proving himself as one of the most versatile current black metal vocalists.
Leviathan gets the first truly huge introduction, as the crowd starts chanting along to the haunting opening guitar melodies, showcasing how masterfully the recording of this show was. The Swedish band fire on all cylinders here as once again, the constant changes within this track steal the show, and the audience audibly rewards the outfit with a huge reaction during the bridge. It is these moments that add to the overall ambience of a gig, and during recordings, especially when people are not there in person. Showcasing why Leviathan will remain a staple of any DARK FUNERAL gigs for a long while yet.
When I’m Gone is one of the longer songs on the setlist, and this is because if you have not heard it before, it is a slow, atmospheric builder, and requires patience for it to be fully appreciated. This track works well live because the chorus is incredibly simple to memorise, and these kinds of songs are always satisfying to hear live. It is drummer Jalomaah who steals the spotlight this time round as he masters the intricate double bass parts with seemingly no effort at all, adding another level of intricacy to one of the most musically satisfying songs on this live record.
Let The Devil In is one of the most technical songs to execute within the setlist of this release, and it is nailed to perfection here. Once again both Jaloomah and Heljarmdr excel with both vocals and the drums being the focal point of this track. One could even say that this is a better vocal performance than the album version of this anthem as the passion is truly felt here.
Just like with an album, a concert has to have a big, epic ending. Where Shadows Forever Reign supplies this and then some. The ending of this song is truly special as it combines speed with the creepy atmosphere black metal is known for. The band treat this song as if it is their last chance to make an impact on the attendees as for the last time, the passion is felt consistently throughout each passage, especially in the final moments of the performance which end the full show.
Overall, this release showcases the power DARK FUNERAL can summon. The mix for this release is phenomenal, and each individual performance is executed perfectly, making for an epic near concert experience, which is elevated due to the crowd being audible throughout this live album. Proving that even the darkest of genres can sound good with a little touch of magic.
Rating: 8/10
A Beast To Praise is set for release on August 21st via Century Media Records.
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