Sanctifica

Item: In The Bleak Midwinter
Author: HadeSlayeR

In The Bleak Midwinter

(1998)

Reviewed by HadeSlayeR

Discogs YouTube

Label independentDead Zine2002

black metal symphonic black metal

Self Released 6 track Demo Cassette

This is a band which everyone is looking forward to hearing. I am because I have lots of faith in Metal bands from Sweden, Norway, Finland and Germany. This demo doesn't come with lyrics.

Side A of the cassette:

The atmospheric intro sets the mood for the listener by its haunting keyboards and its slow drums...It's a very short intro for a black metal band. "Burial of the Grave" - mid-paced with pounding guitars and a 'majestic' sounding chorus. Shrieked vocals complete with a bell-sounding in the chorus. The melody caught my attention even though this wasn't a "fast-as-hell" black metal track. The short guitar solo is surprisingly good. Towards the end, comes the acoustic guitar (with the electric one to complement it) to fade this track out. "Blind for Reality" another track with up front keyboards and beats that will make you want to move your feet. Vocals on this track reminded me of Old Man's Child. (I don't know why). Well written songs from a band which hopefully will get a record deal from some label and hopefully release a full length album on CD. Blast beats towards the end of the song (100 km/h ?) round it up.

Side B of the cassette:

Once again, atmospheric keyboards come into play with "In The Bleak Midwinter", combined with soft plucking makes it a wonderful intro to a song. A sound of the electric guitar signals the beginning of the 'real' thing. Fast to mid-paced drumming, pounding guitars, good melody with the usual shrieked vocals. It gets back into the atmospheric keyboard towards the end of the track. "Sacrifice to Life" is a nice song full of quick double bass and blast beats. Clean vocals were utilized here. 'Death has conquered by Your love', a slightly (just slightly) mediocre track, again with the upfront keyboards which have been all over this demo. "King of Kings And Lord of Lords" humming starts this track off until a loud and ghostly shriek kicks things off (which is used a lot in black metal). Really really fast drumming and really fast guitars, a lot of shrieking here and there. Not as melodic as the previous tracks, I think I can call it a harsher track. The guitars suffer a little bit on the mixing. It sounds a little blurred. Nice classical piano on the end of the song. After this demo, the listener will definitely be waiting (patiently) for the full length CD album.

Production is not top notch, some hissing but it's very good for a demo. It doesn't have the clicking sound or 'break up' of songs typical for demos.

8.5/10