Necromantic Worship is a name that has been making serious moves over the past few years, building a reputation where any release with their logo on it is already seen as interesting. The Nameless Shrine, also coming from the Netherlands, is not quite in that position yet as a new entity. Both acts have mastered the magnificent and majestic old Hellenic scene and sound, which is basically reason enough to check out this music.
Necromantic Worship puts the bass more at the center of their Black Metal, making a link to Necromantia easy to spot. On top of that, you hear that same kettledrum effect or sample as on Rotting Christ’s ‘The Fifth Illusion’, giving you a clear direction of where to look in history. And if you search outside the Greek borders, their style gets close to early Samael and Mortuary Drape.
The foundation of The Nameless Shrine is built on that same Greek style, as mentioned before, but puts a different spin on it. Using church bells at just the right moment, or a quiet section with whispered vocals and church organ, makes it feel a bit more threatening and gives it a ritualistic vibe, whereas Necromantic Worship has a more haunting blanket over them due to the synths. The Nameless Shrine also uses the bass for certain melodies, but it is less central than putting a Necromantia label on it.
Dark and mystical are the key words for these bands, each in their own way, but both successfully done in their own right. People who only stick to the “big names” miss out on so much, and these two acts prove just that. A more than fine split for black souls!
