ALBUM REVIEW: The Decline Of The Enlightened Gods – Frozen Dawn

If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it. So often the mantra of much of the black metal community, it’s arguably led to the genre stagnating bar a few bands who consistently find new and interesting ways to push the envelope of what could be considered black metal. Not so much FROZEN DAWN, who peddle a strain of melodic black metal that’s pretty far removed from originality but injected with a strain of melody and love of thrash, and with latest album The Decline Of The Enlightened Gods they continue much in that vein.

In fact, much of the tone and atmosphere of the Spaniards’ third full-length is set by the opening bars of Mystic Fires Of Dark Allegiance. A short ambient section swiftly gives way to frosty tremolo picking and frantic storms of double bass drums, heralding the arrival of the winter storm. Its only deviations from the black metal of olde is in its embracing of melody to a far greater extent, as well as not being afraid of recording on something other than an eight-track at the other end of the cave. Spellbound keeps the speed frenetic, moments of dissonance creeping in as the blistering winds howl. The repetitive melody motifs certainly do cast a spell but as the song wears on it becomes less ensorcelling and more sleep-inducing. 

By the time we’re halfway through the album at Wanderer Of Times, the title is a little too apt; it does feel that the album has wandered for significant time. Perhaps because of the constant speed of songs, it becomes more wearing than invigorating, with precious little variety not only in speed but also in the melodies and vocal patterns employed. Thankfully, not only in Spellbound but across the album, FROZEN DAWN do break the more monotonous riffs or passages up with guitar solos that seem plucked straight out the thrash metal handbook, a ripping urgency that’s gone before it has time to bed in properly and leaving the frozen wastes to close in again. At other moments, they’re far more grandiose and melodic, such as on the thundering grandeur of Oath Of Forgotten Past. 

Two or three fewer songs would’ve worked wonders here, but despite growing a little too long in the tooth, FROZEN DAWN mostly deliver the goods. Fans of black metal that doesn’t sound like it was recorded in a sewer will find a lot to like; there’s plenty of bite and rawness without sacrificing sound quality. If you can move past its stylistic rigidity though, The Decline Of The Enlightened Gods is huge in its scope and a wild, practically feral beast that snarls, screeches and charges with abandon across its desolate, frost-scoured soundscapes. Marching snares, frantic blasts, desperate howls and a menacing melodicism are all stirred together into a 50-minute assault that’s exhilarating to listen to when it hits right. 

Rating: 7/10

The Decline Of The Enlightened Gods is set for release on February 10th via Transcending Obscurity Records.

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