Arzhaabat is a new musical vehicle of the ever-prolific MBN (Chevallier Skrog among other and the person behind the Pant Y Meddygon label). This time, he is once again all alone at the helm, bringing us an almost traditional Black Metal experience centred on a Shamanic Warrior inhabiting a vast area of the Moravian realm in solitude.
The Raw Black Metal, although very shrill in sound, is very melodic and exudes a grandeur that I have not heard reflected in MBN’s work before. In a way, it is reminiscent of the epic Black Metal from the early Norwegian scene, without being able to point to an immediate equal. But when a parallel has to be drawn, the first Borknagar album, for instance, does come close. The unprecedented ferocity with which the hypnotic riffs are strung together and the hateful screams form a beautiful contrast against the melodies and the synthesisers humming along in the background. This organic sounding whole sounds both intriguing and triumphant and subsequently drags you into a kind of dream world in which it is difficult to break free afterwards.
‘Forest Tribes Triumphant’ certainly lives up to its name and has turned out to be one of the better releases from the ever-growing discography of MBN and the Pant Y Meddygon label. Recommended!
