Customer Reviews

Forsaken

5 star:		(5)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

When the topic of black metal arises in normal conversation, Christianity usually does not coincide with the subject. Many fans of black metal still have not heard of Antestor, but the band has made an interesting impact in the genre. Hailing from Norway, Antestor originally formed in the early 1990's and recorded their debut album titled `Martyrium' in 1994. Currently, the band has two members that includes vocalist Ronny Hansen and guitarist Lars Stokstod. One of the main reasons why I was interested in checking out this release is because Jan Axel Blomberg, known to the black metal legions as `Hellhammer' performed session drums. For Mr. Blomberg to perform drums for a Christian black metal band speaks volumes of him as a person. Christian black metal? Yes, it sounds strange, but this is true to the genre, including great production.

The opening song, `Rites of Death' starts beautifully with haunting female vocals, but it only takes a short amount of time for the heavy music to commence fire. Harsh black metal shrieks are accompanied by brutal drumming and crisp but hellish riffs. The leads are great and one knows that Emperor was one of Antestor's influences. `Raade' is a beautiful symphonic interlude that is common in symphonic black metal. `The Crown I Carry' starts with very heavy riffs and contains memorable leads throughout. `Mitt Hjerte' is another heavenly symphonic instrumental that has a flute lead. The song is very melancholy but adds to the majestic beauty of the album.

Antestor's `The Forsaken' is truly one of the finest symphonic black metal albums ever released and the bands positive message makes this a rare occurrence in the genre of black metal. It is obvious that the members have been influenced by traditional symphonic black metal and it is remarkable that they brought in Hellhammer to perform the drum duties. This release soars high and I sought fit to give it Black Metal Album of the Year in 2005. It also made my top list of nominees for 2005 Album of the Year. Antestor are masters at their craft and this is great modern symphonic black metal. May Christ be glorified through a genre that usually blasphemes his Name. Antestor are not ashamed to call themselves Christians and they should continue to impact extreme metal in a positive way in the future.

This cd is grotesque! Awesome screams, very good drums, great guitar playing and much synthesizers and violins and keys, but not too much! It all blends perfectly well!
I love every song... From the soft instrumental 'raade' 'til the epic-sounding 'as I die'... At times the atmosphere is either lightened or darkened by some female opera-vocals...
Antestor is one the best black-metal bands I've heard so far... Every second of this album has my full attention...

It really was a battle between giving this album four and five stars, mainly for the reason that the eighth track, "The Return," is painfully repetitive and boring, following the same riff for more than a minute.

But that one song is the only flaw in quite the diamond, and you'll find no other objective flaws with Antestor's latest black metal release. Filled with a powerful blend of strings, guitars, soulful and insightful lyrics, and Vrede's (Ronny Hansen) trademark scream, "The Forsaken" delivers an incredible collection of work. My personal favorites off the record are "Rites Of Death," "Betrayed," and "As I Die."

Similar in many ways to Crimson Moonlight, Antestor continues to break into the black metal mainstream with its continuing maturity. Although they may not quite rival such bands as Dimmu Borgir or Cradle of Filth in overall skill, they nevertheless have offered the world a must-have album to black metal fans.

All I can say is wow. When I first purchased this cd I didn't know what to expect but was hearing that they were a great band. There style is really close to black metal but with a progressive spin, but at times but varies through a few melodic parts and even some symphonic interludes. The black metal part can get prett heavy and brutal, and the drumming is amazing(this is because Hellhammer was the drummer for the album). The vocals are Black Metal overall but he uses some deeper more Death Metal vocals at times, and there are also a few parts where he wispers or talks quietly. There isn't one track that isn't enjoyable. The album flows extremely well and can be best listened to all the way through. But my favorite tracks would have to be: Rites of Death, Old Times Cruelty, The Crown I Carry, and Mitt Hjerte. For any one who loves Black Metal or want to try something new.

Antestor?
Some people have made a big deal-- a bigger deal than called for-- about Antestor's beliefs. Well, Antestor is Christian. They stand out in the sense that a lot of black metal is explicitly anti-Christian, but does that really dictate whether you should or should not get this CD? I'd say no. Forsaken is probably their least Christian album, rarely explicitly Christian, and two songs tackle hypocrosy in the church. So, even if you don't want to be "beaten over the head" with Christianity, you can't really level that critique at the album. Also, in as much as extreme metal's anti-Christianity often plays on occult and satanic themes, that Antestor has beliefs shouldn't be surprising. A lot of black metal people are open about their beliefs (that just happen to be against God).

The music!
Musically, Forsaken is a black metal album with some keyboards thrown in. Forsaken isn't really genre expanding-- but few albums are. There is a nod to being artsy with songs like "Raade" and and "Mitt Hjerte," but Forsaken is a black metal album that sits fairly firmly in its genre. And that's why I gave Forsaken 5 stars because the album is near perfect and classic black metal album. Yes, there are a few parts of a few songs where I may have shortened/lengthened some sections or transitions, and one or two songs where I personally would've changed the production and made guitars louder or the keyboards softer (Crown I Carry I'm looking at you...). But, when listening to Forsaken, I thought "this is what good black metal sounds like." It isn't overly produced, but the production isn't poor (kvlt?) like say, Burzum's Filosofem. Since I don't really like song by song reviews, especially for this album because most all the songs are very good I won't give any. But there are some the stand out songs-- The Crown I Carry, Via Dolorosa, Old Times Cruelty -- these exceptional songs that really push the album through the roof, even if every song on the album, while pretty good, isn't a black metal classic. There are no duds on the CD, which is the most important part. If I had to say that there was one major strength to Antestor, I'd say the soloing is really good, as it really helps out a few songs and it's always creative and organic, and complementary-- it never feels like soloing just to say they soloed or to prove they have chops.

All in all, Forsaken is an excellent CD. It is a classic black metal cd. Is it the best? I won't say that. It's my favorite black metal. I'll say this-- if you are trying to listen to only the best black metal, then Forsaken is one of those top tier releases you'll want to get.

Seriously? A Christain Black Metal band? For those who respect the truth behind black metal and it's origins, there is no such thing as a christain black metal band even if from Norway. Call it what you want.

Or white metal, or cross metal....etc. I cant by the forces of nature call this black metal. If I were to say it, I have no doubt that I would burst into flames, or atleast have a bowel explosion (maybe both). I find it very funny that Antestor is playing a style of music thats very foundation is based upon the death of Christianity. Oh well, you wont see Gorgoroth supporting this band anytime soon.

Oh, and as for the cover, drawn by the most talented album cover artist of all time, Necrolord, its shockingly funny that he decided to rehash Storm of the Lights Bane/Where Dead Angels Lie considering that Dissection's ex-leader Jon Nodveit was a member of the MLO (Misanthropic Luciferian Order). Maybe ol' Necrolord found it funny in an ironic sort of way.

Oh, and as for the music, its nothing but standard faux-Darkthrone bogged down with alot of keyboards and synths.

On a final note, anyone who calls this black metal should be ground up into hamburger and fed to Varg Vikernes while he rots in jail. Maybe it will entice him to make another Filosofem.