Info
- Band(s): Dungeon Keeper
- Label(s): Fucking Kill Records, Iconoclasm Conquest, Lower Class Kids Records
- Release Format(s): 12" vinyl, Cassette, CD
- Release Year: 2024
- Review Date: March 5, 2025
- Author(s): FelixS
Germany’s Dungeon Keeper took me by surprise with their debut demo ‘Fortress Of Evil’, released last year through Kellerrassel Records. Their blend of Hellhammer, rocking Darkthrone and Isengard came to me stunningly authentic. Earlier this year that specific demo was reissued as a part of the split LP with their friends of Morbid Rituals, presented by Fucking Kill Records. That same label now brings us Dungeon Keeper’s eagerly awaited full-length record.
While mimicking Hellhammer isn’t quite the most unique idea, it is given to only a few to do this with such unwavering conviction that it does not appear goofy. Dungeon Keeper belongs to that elite group of bands to give this rocking and sawing sort of primal Black Metal a spin of unmistakable purity. Unsurprisingly, the band continues to pursue the exact same formula of ‘Fortress Of Evil’, but slightly pushes their creativity. Subsequently, ‘Chaos Sorcery Strike At Midnight’ is a far more mature sounding recording than the previously issued demo tape.
Hellhammer eventually evolved in the more versatile Celtic Frost that, especially a bit later on in their career, went to great heights like on the band’s ultimate pinnacle, 1987’s ‘Into The Pandemonium’. It is somewhere between the primal energy of Hellhammer’s classic ‘Apocalyptic Raids’ and Celtic Frost’s ‘Into The Pandemonium’ we can find Dungeon Keeper anno 2024. The ultimate balancing act between those savage and primitive riffs and a good dose of doom-‘n’-gloom riffs works out splendidly. Add to that an amazing sense for song writing and overall musical creativity – this is where Isengard comes into play again.
The rocking vibes of early and mid-era Darkthrone, including the tasteful tempo changes and the schizophrenic screaming and the “drunken” bellowing of Fenriz’ Isengard gives Dungeon Keeper a clear advantage, musically speaking, over bands like Warhammer or Apokalyptic Raids who are much more faithful to the musical framework of Hellhammer’s original work.
If, like me, you were charmed by ‘Fortress Of Evil’, then you could pick up ‘Chaos Sorcery Strike At Midnight’ without any hesitation. Definitely a worthy successor to an already very successful demo from a band that continues to develop impressively.
Dungeon Keeper
- Country: Germany
- Style: Black Metal
- Links: Bandcamp
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Fucking Kill Records
- Country: Germany
- Style: Death Metal, Thrash Metal, Other
- Links: Homepage, Facebook, Bandcamp
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Iconoclasm Conquest
- Country: Germany
- Style: Black Metal, Death Metal
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