Black metal with a kick

The musical genre black metal is defined as heavy metal music lyrics that display the topics of evil and the supernatural. Norwegian band 1349 have been playing metal music for quite a while. In 2003, 1349 released their debut album Liberation, their second album Beyond the Apocalypse was then released in 2004 and in 2005 they released their third album Hellfire which proved to the band’s strongest album. Founding member Tjalve left the band so he could focus to work with his other band PANTHEON I. The four remaining members of 1349 continued to perform music and in 2006 they toured North America with metal legends, Celtic Frost. In 2009 1349 teamed up with Celtic Frost’s creator Tom Gabriel“Warrior” Fischier to create the album Revelations of the Black Flame and the album became the inspiration for their next album Demonoiar which was released in 2010. Also in 2013, the band released Massive Cauldron Chaos and this record became a huge success for the band as it earned them a nomination from the Norweigan Grammy.

1349 continued to tour the world for the next couple of years and now they are back with a new album titled The Infernal Pathway. What is seemingly interesting about this record is how the music tells theatrical stories because of the constant themes of evil and supernatural in every song. The instrumentation on this album is well done as the sounds of the instruments provide the energy to each track. Frost’s drumming is great because he is able to create loud, rhythmic and erratic drum beats. Meanwhile, Archaon’s guitar skills are wild because the sounds are filled with electrifying tunes on a high note which will cause listeners to headbang crazy. Also, Seidemann’s bass guitar skills are great because he stays attuned in the background while the rest of the band continues to play wild music and Ravn’s vocals are rather unique because his vocal style is raspy within a low grungy tone. Overall, if listeners thought 1349’s previous albums were great, then they should give this a listen to because it will succeed their expectations. 

On The Infernal Pathway there is a song titled “Stand Tall in Fire” and what is simply enjoyable about this song is how grungy it sounds. The song starts off with Archaon playing a cutting edge guitar tune before the rest of the band joins in and creates music havoc. Ravn’s vocals are killer on this track because is vocal style is grungy with low key shrieks and what is rather unique by Ravn is how during the quiet periods in the song, he is simply talking in a low and authoritative voice as if he is telling a story. Seidemann’s bass guitar skills are wild on this track because when listening, the deep vibrations from the background can be felt in the veins of the arm and the drumming on this track is just wonderful because the drum beats by Frost lights up the whole song with rhythmic beats. Overall, this song is enjoyable and hopefully, listeners will enjoy it just as much.

On the record there is a song titled “Towers on Towers” which is a great example of what black metal is and in some ways, the song stands out better than the rest of the songs on the album. The lead guitar is tuned just right on this track because the music is simple and clear while Archaon performs the song, the bass guitar hums in the background and when listening carefully, a low and deep harmonic thud can be heard and Seidmann is able to keep play a low, vibrant and repeatable chord throughout the song. Meanwhile, the drumming is absolutely crazy on this track because Frost’s is capable of playing drum beats on a rapid pace, and his style of drumming is brilliant and Ravn’s vocals are low with a touch of a hardcore sound and the raspiness of his vocals contributes to the theme of the song. This is just a fantastic song which shows the creativity the band has for music.

Also the song “Striding the Chasm” is a great tune to listen to because the whole band shines through the music. Ravn’s vocals are unique because he is simply talking and shrieking in a low, authoritative and grungy way while talking out the lyrics, Frost’s drumming is mind-blowing on this track because in some ways he is showing off his skills and when listening, it is amusing how he is capable of performing fast-paced drum beats because whatever tempo he is drumming to, he is able to craft it in a unique way and  the bass guitar makes a sweet sound because it is rather enjoyable to hear because the pattern Seidmann is playing fills the backgrounds with a welcoming surge of deep rumbles. Overall this track is brilliant because it gives what fans and listeners have been waiting for which is black metal with a kick.

1349 is back with new new music and their loyal fans will not be disappointed, Also the band is touring with ABBATH and that show alone will be a great one to see live.