Info
- Band(s): Argenthorns
- Label(s): Avantgarde Music
- Release Format(s): 12" vinyl, CD
- Release Year: 2023
- Review Date: April 21, 2023
- Author(s): VincentP
Symphonic Black Metal has been on the rise for a few years now, and Finland has certainly made some big contributions to its revival. One of the latest new bands to arise in the genre is Argenthorns, led by an individual called Mason Rofocale. This pseudonym may combine the prime minister of Lucifer, Lucifuge Rofocale, with Asenath Mason, a leading author on the occult and co-author of the book ‘Awakening Lucifer’, the modern grimoire of Left Hand Path magic. The musician behind the pseudonym is none other than Lord Vrăjitor, who previously made a mark on the Finnish Black Metal scene with his excellent work in Warmoon Lord and Old Sorcery. Impressed by the latest Warmoon Lord record ‘Battlespells’, my anticipation was high for the debut album of Argenthorns entitled ‘The Ravening’.
Compared to the epic and atmospheric Black Metal of Warmoon Lord, Argenthorns presents a rather more story-based album in the shape of ‘The Ravening’, filled with spoken word narratives in the vein of Dimmu Borgir and Bal Sagoth. This comparison to these bands also applies to the music of Argenthorns, in particular when it comes to the symphonic approach of the first, and the bombastic take on Black Metal of the latter band. However, Argenthorns is equally influenced by more furious Symphonic Black Metal acts like Limbonic Art and Odium, and in addition features a healthy dose of Heavy Metal riffs and high-flying solos. Combining these elements is no easy feat, but Mason Rofocale once again shows his talent and versatility in terms of songwriting with Argenthorns. This is not limited to the compositions, as his musical prowess is equally highlighted for instance in the shredding guitar solos in ‘Malefic Chronicle’. On top of that, the session drums courtesy of Revenant Strigoi (who also performed the drums on the latest Warmoon Lord album and features in their live line-up) fluently accentuate the variety in tempos and intensity in the music.
The result is 38 minutes of epic and Symphonic Black Metal in the spirit of the 90’s. At times the riffs and keyboards are more pagan in nature (such as in ‘I Incursion II A Procession of Spectres’), other times the focus is on a grand baroque and epic atmosphere (‘In the Hoary Shadows of the Blighted Gardens’ for example), and other tracks emphasize a more gnarly setting with icy guitar riffs (of which ‘Wings of Psychomachia’ is a great example). But regardless of the track, the thought and passion behind the project is clear throughout the entirety of ‘The Ravening’, with the album feeling incredibly fluent and coherent while balancing a perfect line between the harsh and the bombastic. If you, like me, are also enamored by the recent resurgence of Symphonic Black Metal, then do not sleep on this Argenthorns debut. It’s a glorious example of the current strength of the movement.
Avantgarde Music
- Country: Italy
- Style: Black Metal, Doom Metal, Other
- Links: Homepage, Facebook, Instagram, Bandcamp, Youtube
