30 January 2024
Music is a kind of inner journey. Human beings love to go on adventurous journeys and see brand new places that will surprise and impress them. Probably for this reason, for years, many metal bands have been trying to take us to other worlds with their songs, to take us away from our routine to places apart from our safe havens, homes. Some bands do that lyrics-wise. That’s why we have plundered other countries as Viking warriors with axes and swords in our hands, fought in arenas, and even took our last breath and traveled to Valhalla with the Valkyries. We have soared over the sea like Icarus with our wings of flame, and just as we’ve realized that this journey would end in disappointment, we’ve crashed into the water.
Traveling while listening is both enjoyable and comfortable, because when the session is over, we are at home again. Similarly, some bands do that musically. They make us take this journey with their music, which is constantly in motion and showing big changes from album to album.
There are also bands that do not fall into either of these two categories and not make sharp turns in either their lyrical or musical paths. These bands open their own safe havens to their listeners with each album, develop and evolve where they are without changing their environment, make their audiences feel homesick between albums and welcome them back to their old homes with each album.
Many metal bands are in a very different place compared to when they first started. While some listeners respond positively to this situation, others remain biased. Frankly, I’m in the middle. As long as the music is within acceptable limits for me, there is no problem. However, every time the bands which I have described above as promising safe havens release an album, I know it’s time to go home.
I know it’s a pretty long introduction, but when I listened to Blood Red Throne’s new album Nonagon, these things automatically came to my mind. Except Død, the founding member with Tchort, many member changes have taken place in the band’s career since their establishment. This also applies to this album in which the band have their 4th vocalist in their career.
It’s quite clear that Blood Red Throne have been very satisfying for the last 2 albums, even though they had done more average work from time to time in the past. I liked the new vocalist Sindre as much as the previous, Yngve. The music has a similar structure to the previous album Imperial Congregation.
One of the most important features of Blood Red Throne is that although they are from Norway, they make music close to American death metal bands. This feature remains in place. In this respect, I have always compared the band to another Scandinavian band, the swedes Vomitory. What kind of music are we talking about? A wild music bludgeoning whoever dares to come forth. Especially with good hi-fi equipment, it would has the effect of an asphalt compactor. Exactly as this style of death metal must be.
There are no filler songs in the album which offers quality music from beginning to the end. Finally, I must add that the album cover by Greek artist Giannis Nakos is wonderful.
One of the best death metal albums of the year. Period.
9/10
