Search - Covenant :: Nexus Polaris

Sure to be a timeless metal classic.

Nicholas Adam Chupka | Derwood, MD | 10/21/2005

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I am not typically a black metal fan, but, then again, Nexus Polaris is not your typical black metal album. Therefore, black metal purists beware! While there are more straightforward black metal tracks on this album, most tracks contain stunning melodies, and some could even be described as bordering on the extremely heavy power metal line.



One undeniably black component of this album is the vocals. Operatic female vocals from Cradle of Filth's Sarah perfectly complement the deep woods, under the bridge troll-witch growl of Lex Icon. I usually cannot stand this style of growling, but it fits so perfectly on this album. In fact, it is precisely this type of congruency which makes this album one of the most treasured in my collection. When Lex and Sarah exclaim, "But still the sun refused to move!" during my favorite track, "Bringer of the Sixth Sun", absolute chills run down my spine as the vocal delivery and lyrical content work with the instrumentation to create a truly grandiose, larger than life, epic sound. At times, Nexus Polaris sounds like THE definitive dark opera.



This neo-classically melodic sound is precisely what will have these songs so lodged in your head that you will find yourself humming the riffs and singing the lyrics even when you are not listening to the album; not a common effect of black metal.



This memorable quality is created by absolutely stellar musicianship, from the absolutely stellar Hellhammer on drums, Sverd on keyboards, and dual guitar attack of Blackheart and Astennu. At times, these axemen truly recall memories of such classic double attacks as Hanneman and King, and Smith and Murray. With these galloping riffs, Sverd offers up plenty of keyboard runs which echo the piano stylings of history's most well-known composers. At other times, he simply provides the eerie vampiric atmospherics most commonly associated with black metal. Regardless, one of the strongest selling points of this album in my opinion is how prominently the keys are featured. While they never suffocate the more traditional metal drums and guitars, they are always audible, and this album would not be nearly as good without them.



Now, do we even need to discuss Hellhammer given that we all know that everything he touches turns to gold? Of course we do. This is my favorite album featuring Hellhammer. Considering the heavy black metal leanings, relentless double-bass blasts are present, and we all know nobody plays double-bass like Hellhammer. What I like about his performance on this album is the subtle precision and style he attacks the rest of his kit with. After your first epiphany with this album, go back and listen to it again, trying hard just to listen to the drums. I think Hellhammer may perhaps be underrated in that he so meticulously, successfully, and effortlessly adds such small touches which have dramatic effects on the music.



Before ending this review, I must come back to what makes this album so cherished in the metal community: the uncanny way in which this band pulled together all the ingredients in the most perfect way. On tracks like "Nexus Polaris" the listener is immediately sucked into a black hole of galloping guitars and drums, punctuated by synthesizer bell effects and polarized clean vocals and growls. The effect may be desrcibed as a Dimmu Borgir/Cradle of Filth dramatization with the crediblity and earnestness of Sons of Northern Darkness Immortal.



Easily the most remarkable aspect of this album is that this originality and infectious style is present on every single track. I can honestly say that this is one of the few albums in my large collection that is placed in the CD player and played the entire way through. There are no weak moments on this album. While Kovenant did not impress me with any of their other albums, I will fight to the death their importance in the progression of extreme metal because Nexus Polaris represents a sound which, upon its release, had never been heard before. And more importantly for the solidification of this album's place in the annals of metal, Nexus Polaris also represents a sound which will never be replicated in the future either."

A kindred spirit.

Lorin Reed | moreno valley, CA United States | 11/24/1999

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This album is excellent. As it stands, Nexus Polaris is a shining example of black metal at it's best. The musicianship is excellent, and rather than try to fit in into a specific category of music, i simply let in all has to offer. Excellent guitar work, nice vocals (lyrics are printed in the insert), and female vocals that provide the sweetest backing. Hellhammer's drum work is incredible, and he shines through on every track. The keyboards provide a more involving atmosphere than anything i can remember listening to in a long time. And, to top it all off, it comes in a sweet package, with excellent artwork. This album is a fantastic collaboration effort between some of black metal's finest musicians, and i recommend it whole-heartedly to the music enthusiast. If i were to have anycomplaints at all, it would be that there mere 44 minutes of music it offers left me wanting to hear more. But as it is, its short & sweet. Sweet as hell. Buy it, or miss out on a shining moment."

Nexus Polaris is a musical hit.

Jesse Leal, Jr. Real name is Jesus | 04/25/2000

(5 out of 5 stars)

"The band called Covenant play awesome music on this album titled "nexus polaris" there are eight songs that have alot of rhythm and are heavy. I have to say that the use of the keyboards is used alot through out the album. The album time is around 43 minutes, and 39 seconds for the eight songs you will here. Nagash who is the lead singer on this album sings on other albums he has done in the past. He was the vocalist on a band called "TROLL". Once you open the cd, you will see the lyrics will be posted, along with quality pictures of the band members. Sverd is the keyboardist, Hell hammer is the drummer, Astennu is the guitar player, and Nagash is Bass & Vocals on the album, and Black heart is the other guitarist. This music is highly recommended to all metal fans who want to listen to something new."