| Additional Information about The Seal of Belial by Lord Belial (CD,
Sep-2005, Candlelight Records)
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Album Features
UPC:
803341210226
Artist:
Lord Belial
Format:
CD
Release Year:
2005
Record Label:
Candlelight Records
Genre:
Black Metal, Heavy Metal
Track Listing 1. Prolusio: Acies Sigillum 2. Sons of Belial 3. Chariot
of Fire 4. Abysmal Hate 5. Legio Inferi 6. Mark of the Beast 7.
Armageddon Revelation 8. Scythe of Death
Details
Producer:
Andy La Rocque, Andy LaRoque
Distributor:
Caroline Distribution
Recording Type:
Studio
Recording Mode:
Stereo
SPAR Code:
n/a
Album Notes Nuance is a word that can easily be used in connection with
Pink Floyd; it's a word that is equally applicable if the artist in
question is Charles Mingus, Sarah McLachlan, Radiohead, Ivan Lins, De
La Soul, or Astor Piazzolla. And Metallica -- as balls-to-the-wall as
they can be -- certainly recognize the value of nuance. But when you're
dealing with the death metal/black metal field, the word nuance usually
doesn't apply because in many cases, extreme metal is about massive
sensory assault for the sake of massive sensory assault. Not nuance,
not complexity -- just vicious, pummeling, headcrushing savagery
(which, despite its limitations, can be exhilarating if you're one of
the kids in the mosh pit). But some death metal and black metal CDs are
definite exceptions to that rule, and Lord Belial's The Seal of Belial
is such a CD. For all its intensity and heaviness, this is a black
metal/death metal release (more black metal than death metal) that
clearly values melody, harmony, musicality, craftsmanship, and --
here's that word again -- nuance. Musically, this Swedish combo offers
a lot of rewarding twists and turns; Lord Belial has obviously learned
a thing or two from old-school headbangers like Queensrÿche, Ronnie
James Dio, Iron Maiden, and Judas Priest. But this CD is far from a
power metal revival disc, and the over the top vocals (which generally
favor a black metal rasp over a guttural death metal growl) clearly put
The Seal of Belial in the extreme metal category. And while a lot of
power metal has favored unthreatening, fantasy-based
dungeons-and-dragons lyrics, Belial offerings such as "Mark of the
Beast" and "Abysmal Hate" are blatantly occult-focused. The Seal of
Belial is well worth obtaining if one favors the more melodic and
intricate side of black metal and death metal. ~ Alex Henderson
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