DARK FUNERAL

The accompanying press sheet boldly states that this, Dark Funeral's fifth studio album, is "the band's most technical and varied album to date". Apart from mildly innovative elements, this is something with which I would disagree. The Swedes, once again, deliver competently performed, predominantly blast-beat led black metal, although it's largely devoid of originality. In a sense, I guess that's an unfair criticism as Dark Funeral are not trying to be original, rather returning to do what they do very well (with a little experimentation), but I personally feel there are more exciting things happening elsewhere in the black metal genre right now with bands who show greater levels of innovation (Blut Aus Nord, Solefald, Skaldic Curse and Eibon la Furies to name but a few). Having said that, fans of Dark Funeral and their stylistic leanings will undoubtedly lap this up in their thousands, although it's unlikely to convert previous unbelievers. It is what it is, no pretensions whatsoever. Actually, that's not strictly true - purely daft monikers such as with frontman 'Emperor Magus Caligula' reeks of pretension and I'm certain the majority of post-adolescent metal fans would agree. On the plus side, 'Angelus Exuro Pro Eternus' is very well produced, but one would expect nothing less from the hands of multi-talented Peter Tägtgren. Released in two formats - a single disc jewel case version and a CD/DVD limited edition packaged in a slipcase - diehard fans will no doubt want to get hold of the latter as it features 55 minutes of previously unreleased live footage. Overall, 'Angelus Exuro Pro Eternus' is a competent effort although the promise of technical innovation is largely absent from the 47 minutes playing time. There is nothing particularly bad about the album, rather it's simply a rehash of old ground.

LABEL:

FORMAT:

Regain Records

Album

ANGELUS EXURO PRO ETERNUS

Review by Mark Holmes

RUNNING TIME:

46:57

RELEASE DATE:

1st Dec 2009

TRACK LISTING

1) The End of Human Race
2) The Birth of the Vampiir
3) Stigmata
4) My Funeral
5) Angelus Exuro pro Eternus
6) Demons of Five
7) Declaration of Hate
8) In My Dreams
9) My Latex Queen

COUNTRY OF ORIGIN:

Sweden

"...competently performed, predominantly blast-beat led black metal, although it's largely devoid of originality."