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BLACK CRUCIFIXION
Coronation Of King Darkness

Spinefarm (2013)
Rating: 7.5/10

Despite Coronation Of King Darkness being Black Crucifixion’s third full-length opus, these guys have actually been around for some time. The Finnish quartet began life in 1991 when, mainly due to the Norwegian influence, black metal was very much on the rise. The band initially was of the one man variety; Forn proving to be a talented multi-instrumentalist who in 1992 enlisted the services of bassist E. Henrik.

The early career of Black Crucifixion consisted of two demos in the early 90s, but their debut platter, Faustian Dream, didn’t emerge until 2006 as Forn (aka Fornicator) and E. Henrik (aka Esa Juujärvi) were committed to the progressive doom metal outfit Promethean.

On their third opus Forn and E. Henrik are accompanied by guitarists Rekku Rechardt and Markus E.R. Kill, alongside drummer V.S. Scorpius. Both Markus and V.S. Scorpius appeared on 2011’s Hope Of Retaliation.

Black Crucifixion are very much old school black metal, and boast a reasonably evil sound wrapped up in several mystical song titles to boot. Fans of early Darkthrone will enjoy the scathing, cold riffs, while admirers of even older bands such as Hellhammer, Celtic Frost et al, will find much to savour here, especially in Forn’s grim vocal sound.

However, this isn’t merely a retro black metal experience. Forn and company have carved out an atmospheric little record here that doesn’t simply rely on that archetype black metal approach. A track such as ‘What The Night Bird Sang’ is as sweeping as it is sinister, featuring several moody interludes which eventually give way to those sneering dynamics.

This is far from being harsh on the ears, the band more than capable of crafting eerie soundscapes that evoke images of fog-drenched marshes and colder climbs. And when Black Crucifixion do vomit forth their brand of metal they enable an air of accessibility. ‘Heroes End Up On Gallows’ is a simmering track that builds to a fantastic 80s-style riff, with Forn’s vocals reminding me of Darkthrone’s Nocturno Culto and Celtic Frost’s Tom G. Warrior. But Forn isn’t about aping; at times his vocals become forlorn moans amid the mid-tempo drums and twinkling guitars.

Over the years so many black metal bands have come and gone. Some are more obscure than others, some preferring a rather grating symphonic sounds, others choosing an obscure, yet often crusty remote sound. Black Crucifixion offer up threads of originality, boasting a moreish sound of thudding bass, hard drum and creeping, sprawling effects. Despite its over-elaborate title, ‘Millions Of Twigs Guide Your Way Through The Forest’ is probably the album’s finest moment. It boasts a set of killer 80s-inspired riffs and guttural vocal, but not once does it alienate itself from the listener. Instead, it stands up as a black metal gem, with a weird promotional video to match!

So, Black Crucifixion are certainly a black metal band worth checking out, and for once it’s nice to hear a meaty vocal approach instead of the usual unintelligible squawk. Eight tracks, climaxing in the grimace that is ‘Thieves’, and once again I’m longing for a heap of snow on my doorstep!

Neil Arnold

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