Shadowcraft – Principles of Chaos [Demo]

Shadowcraft from Greece have released 3 prior demos which have slipped my attention to be honest. With their 4th demo “Principles of Chaos” these black souls tried to get a record deal (of which they recently succeed by the way) by playing keyboard driven Symphonic Black Metal. Or “Majestic Black Metal” as they label them there selves. Although I’m a huge fan of old Necromantia, Varathron and Deviser and I was a bit hoping to hear some tunes in their vein, Shadowcraft play the more melodic and symphonic Black Metal that was more common in Norway during the mid en end 1990s. If you think away the “cold atmosphere” of Dimmu Borgir’s “Stormblast”, Mactätus, Odium and Obtained Enslavement (pre-“The Shepherd and the Hounds of Hell”) and add the more clean production of Obtained Enslavement’s “The Shepherd and the Hounds of Hell”, you will have a musical direction of this demo. If you like your Black Metal more grim, fierce or bleak, Shadowcraft will not be your cup of tea. Although I don’t consider this demo as good as the fine albums released by the aforementioned bands, this is an adequate one. (Ricardo)