Most Helpful Customer Reviews
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11 of 11 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
, September 4, 2005
The name 1349 refers to the year in which the black plague wiped out a good
percentage of the Norwegian population.Well,they literally wipe out everything in
its path with this release as well,quickly becoming one of the most lethal bands
in the underground black metal circle.Their last cd "Liberation" was the perfect
debut for a band that wanted to make a name for themselves."Beyond the
apocalypse" shows a sense of natural progression.No,there aren't any female
vocals or pointless electronic arrangements...to the contraire,the songwriting has
matured and the compositions are more complex,always maintaining the
brutality intact and the primitiviness up front.The production here is
just as raw as their debut lp.Music like this just wouldn't sound right if
it had a crystal clear production.Frost gives yet another memorable drum
performance,he's definitely one of the most daring drummers today,pushing
the boundaries of extremism.1349 plays true black metal the way they see
fit,and while I still prefer their previous effort,this is definitely
worth getting if you're a fan of extreme music in general.Certainly,this is one of the year's most adrenaline-filled releases.Horns up!
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11 of 11 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
brutal dealings, August 11, 2004
1349 is a new name in the blackened metal field and with the mighty Frost (Satyricon) behind the kit, you know you can expect a serious high quality musical attack. the first song "Chasing Dragons" is a standout track that will grab you by the throat and keep you interested until the songs end. it's fast, heavy, melodic and has alot of interesting changes that will make you want to listen to it again and again. the remainder of the album fares very well in keeping the themes of speed and brutality established by the first song. besides the final track on 'Beyond the Apocalypse', no song ventures into experimental territory or involves keyboards or sampling; which is great if you want just straight thrashy black metal. if i had to make a comparison in sound i would say that 1349 sounds like the songwriting and inventiveness of Emperor crossed with the ugly dirty brutality of Marduk. the production is great, the cover is cool and bleak, and the music is amazing. i love this album more and more each time that i play it. HAIL!
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12 of 13 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
BEST, MOST BRUTAL/FASTEST BLACK METAL EVER!!!, January 7, 2005
First I heard Satyricon and all I can say is "The Scorn Torrent".
Then I heard of 1349 through the forum on the Derek Roddy website. I was fortunate enough to find a copy of Liberation, their previous effort, at Streetlight Records. After much listening, I came to love the CD despite the horrible production. Then, I heard that they had an even newer CD out titled: "Beyond the Apocalypse", so I had to get it. What originally attracted me to this band was the drummer, Frost, and after hearing the latest release, I was thoroughly satisfied. The quality of the sound is much better than on Liberation, the bass pedals are more consistent sounding, the snare is better, the guitars are not drowned out by fuzz and the riffs are much more technical/dynamic. The bass is also more coherent. As for the singing, it is just as cold and evil as before. The lyrics are well thought out and add to the feeling given off by the music perfectly. Beyond the Apocalypse is basically better in every way, although Liberation is nonetheless still a masterpiece. Song for song, this CD delivers. Only the final track lets you breathe. I also appreciate the fact that these guys prefer no keyboards throughout the CD. Some would say it adds dynamics or whatever, but I know better. It would only take away from the brutality. Keyboards can add atmospheric qualities when used correctly, but only for short segments, not for entire songs like 'Dimmu Borgir'. Its all a matter of opinion, and I think excessive keyboards steals from the guitar. My favorite song from this CD would have to be the epic "Singer of Strange Songs". The blasting by Frost is inhuman. It sounds to me like he doesn't use triggers either, except for maybe on the bass drums. The drumming is so expressive and theatrical, and he truly has a unique style. It now seems to me after hearing so many other great death/black metal drummers, that Frost just might be the ultimate blaster. For how fast he goes and for how long he does it, untriggered, and how consistent it sounds, it's truly mind-blowing. It is not all about speed, but when you hear it, you can't help but get an almost adrenaline rush/badass feeling of superiority. This is by far the BEST BLACK METAL OUT RIGHT NOW. "Returning Now With Diabolic Strength And A Vicious Grin In The Face..."
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