Search - Keep of Kalessin :: Agnen: A Journey Through the Dark

Agnen: A Journey Through the Dark
Keep of Kalessin
Agnen: A Journey Through the Dark
Genres: Pop, Rock, Metal
 
  •  Track Listings (8) - Disc #1

Agnen' is hyper-speed dark and epic black metal at its best, with subtle elements of thrash being evident throughout. The band's themes are inspired/based upon 'The Earthsea Quartet' the fantasy work by American writer U. ...  more »

     
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CD Details

All Artists: Keep of Kalessin
Title: Agnen: A Journey Through the Dark
Members Wishing: 1
Total Copies: 0
Label: Avant-Garde
Release Date: 2/29/2000
Album Type: Import
Genres: Pop, Rock, Metal
Styles: Progressive, Progressive Rock
Number of Discs: 1
SwapaCD Credits: 1
UPC: 017533242227

Synopsis

Album Description
Agnen' is hyper-speed dark and epic black metal at its best, with subtle elements of thrash being evident throughout. The band's themes are inspired/based upon 'The Earthsea Quartet' the fantasy work by American writer U. Le Guin; an ancient world of magic and conflict between darkness and light. Keep of Kalessin was originally formed by Obsidian C. and Ghash in Trondheim, Norway in 1994. 'Agnen' was recorded at Brygga Studios, Trondheim (The 3rd and the Mortal) in October/November 1998. This is the band's second album, originally released in 1999.

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CD Reviews

Whirlwind of Darkness
Michael E. Mitchell | Minocqua, WI USA | 09/17/2008
(5 out of 5 stars)

"If I hadn't already been a listener of KofK, I might be put off by the dorky "based on the 'Earthsea Quartet' fantasy novels" tag, but there is NOTHING dorky about this band! To those unfamiliar with their sound, it is quite trebly, with riffs (by certified mad genius and band leader Obsidian C) in the higher registers rather than the usual low-E based riffs that most bands employ, which along with the speed gives them a ripping "steamhammer" wall of sound. At first, this may sound "thin", but upon repeated listenings (and you will have to listen many times to pick up all the brilliant nuances of what is recorded here)you become accustomed to their signature sound, which you now realize is intentional. There is much that happens within the framework of this sound; triumphant and ominous classical themes appear, savage thrash attacks, and melodic guitar melodies are abruptly slaughtered by jackhammer guitar/drum explosions. Quite a few surprises erupt from the speakers, making the listener chuckle in gruesome appreciation, or simply say "whoooa" like Keanu Reeves! The drumming, by Vyl, is on a par with his one-time stand in Frost's (1349, Satyricon), and is a real treat for drum afficianados. The vocals on this are handled by Ghash, who is more similar in viciousness to Attila (from the must-have ep "Reclaim", also with Frost), than the current, more "palatable" vocalist. Ghash has a lower-end Black MeTal snarl, and has a pleasant habit of infrequently strangling himself while recording, apparently, for added flavour! The pace on this is almost entirely hyper-speed, though never gets boring. The final song, "Agnen", decays into a bleak repetetive dirge, but even that serves to set a mood, and never really lasts long enough to become "boring". Highly recommended for fans of Limbonic Art or more thoughtful-but-not-to-the-point-of-becoming-pretentious BM bands. Also see the cool artwork which transforms the band members into H.R.Geiger-esque creatures!"