Forsaken [IMPORT]

Antestor (Author)

Product Details

• Audio CD
• Format: Import
• Label: End Time Production
• ASIN: B000BKP0FO
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #161,550 in Music (See Bestsellers in Music)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description
"Fellow music fans... this is the real deal. The hype is true. This is one killer album that I can find no flaw with. I love every second of this disc even after what has to be hundreds of listens. Whether you are fans of older Antestor, Emperor, Old Man's Child, or any of the other greats in black metal, you cannot go wrong with this purchase." -The Whipping Post TRACK LISTING: Rites Of Death Old Times Cruelty Via Dolorosa Raade The Crown I Carry Betrayed Vale Of Tears The Return As I Die Mitt Hjerte

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Antestor - The Forsaken, May 3, 2007

By	Richard Terry (Los Angeles, CA United States) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

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.

5 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars One of the very best!, July 21, 2006

By	Niels van der Plas "Discipvlvs" (The Netherlands) - See all my reviews

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...

5.0 out of 5 stars A gem with only a single downside..., December 3, 2008

By	D. Eisinger (Chicago, IL USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

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.