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Artist: STAGNATUS
Album: Ultima Thule
Year: 2002
For the people who saw the name and the logo of this
Russian band and immidiately said “Oh, this must be
black metal”, I have a surprise for you: you were quite
right! Stagnatus is already jamming for some time, and
the ‘Ultima Thule’ record is their first proof of
existence when it comes to releases. They say to mix
black metal with gothic and industrial, which sounds
like a pretty good combination to me!
And I must say, this is quite some interesting stuff!
Stagnatus guides you on a journey that leads you from
dizzling high mountains to terrifying depths and
beautiful landscapes filled with forests covered in
snow. For as if you don’t have the imagination I have
(and this album), I will explain. The way these guys mix
raw, drum machined black metal with some beautiful synth
parts, deep growls and raw screams and here and there
some touches of traditional Russian music! Think of the
way Russian band Radigost is doing it, but a little more
brutal and experimental and way more original! Some
tracks I would like to have a few more words said about.
‘Apud Inferos’ sounds like a song that could fit on any
fairy tale story. Beautiful, fantasy metal likely synth
work mixed with deep growls and easy listening
instrumental intermezzos. Clearly one of the more
traditional influenced songs! ‘Ultima Thule’ clearly has
some folk influences too. This is a very easy listening
song, with beautiful classical parts followed by some
thrashy riffs and vocals. A song that is drowned in
originality. ‘In The Thousand Candle Hall’ is another
very original track. Very atmospheric, and maybe the
most wellfitting song in my preverious landscape story.
The synth parts are very easy listening, sometimes even
a little bit ambient influenced, while the guitar riffs
are as black as cherry coke. Bands that come in mind are
(old) Dimmu Borgir, Anorexia Nervosa and Aborym,
although none of this band can be compared with this
song. This song turned out to be my favourite track in
the end too! Although, I must say it’s very hard to pick
a favourite track off an album like this. All the songs
are extremely well build, easy listening and there are
actually no fillers to be found on this album! After 45
minutes, when this album ends, you just want to hear it
again and again and again! Thats why I can’t wait to
hear some new songs of these guys soon, because this is
damn excellent stuff!
Vote: 93 / 100
Review by: Gerardo |
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01. Intro (Diving into
The Deep)
02. In The Thousand
Candle Hall
03. Apud Inferos
04. Vikings
05. Zimzerla's Light
06. Interlude
07. Ultima Thule
08. Triumph
09. Throne of Deity |
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