Byfrost - Black Earth

\r\n Norwegians Byfrost are considered a new act since they started off two and a half years ago, but the genre they serve is dusty old craft. Does anyone remember Diabolical Desecration by Bewitched? Call it retro-and it probably is- call it what you will but the essense remains in music.
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\r\n I understand where they’re getting at, this "back to basics" motive with minimalistic aesthetics and the "pure metal" recipe. And it could work well if the album didn’t turn out to be so tiring...but let’s take things from the begining. Heavy/thrash/black metal is what you’ll find in here, dear metalhead, but in uneven dosage. For example, the first song of Black Earth, Horns To The Sky, is a classic thrash track with black metal vocals. So far, so good. The self titled track follows, begining with a frosty black guitar theme, followed by a classic heavy metal riff only to be broken by an UBBER black metal cut, you know with its grim riffing and hyperblastbeats. Are you wandering what happened? So am I.
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\r\n The music coming next is more balanced though but it gets you tired with the repeatitive riffs that last till forever. It’s a bad habbit they have playing a specific guitar theme over and over again. This, combined with the minimal compositions can bring boredom despite the initial good impression. Speed does not vary much, you’ll listen to mid tempo stuff, thrashy and even slower stuff but the drumming is predictable and interest gets lost easily. What I loved the most was the vivid and lively production. The sound is really kick ass, a really good job done there.
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\r\n I’m not sure if Black Earth is going to be remembered after some time. To sum up, the songs are indifferent and biased in a way. Perhaps the oldschool fan will appreciate its firm and simple form and may indulge for some headbaning. But these are hard times...\r\n

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\r\nGiannis rem3dy Nakos \r\n

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