Keeping The Gene Pool Pure

Dark Funeral is a black metal band founded in Sweden back in 1993.  Their roots extend back into the second wave when groups like Mayhem, Darkthrone, and fellow Swedes Dissection were all creating the genre from the darker corners of 80's thrash metal like Venom and Bathory.  The lineup has changed quite a bit over the years, with guitar player Lord Ahriman standing as the only remaining founding member.  This new album, Where Shadows Forever Reign, is their first in 7 years.  With another new vocalist and support from Century Media, how does this one stack up in today's world of BM?

The answer is a mixed one, as is often the case.  If Dark Funeral set out to stick to their guns and create another slice of 90's-era black metal, then in this they have succeeded.  There is very little compramise to be had on this record, and my guess is that the lack of innovation is quite purposeful.  Unlike groups like Enslavedwho have chosen to mature and explore their sound, DF isn't interested in all that.  Like face-painted Lannisters, they prefer to keep the gene pool pure.  Where Shadows Forever Reign is interested in the singular goal of doing just what its title implies: dedicating all energy to the furtherment of overpowering darkness.

With that in mind, there is little to be said about the songs themselves.  Blastbeats, shrill tremolo melodies, and shrieked vocals dominate them all, though the pace sticks to mostly ominous mid-tempo.  "Unchain My Soul" is a solid opener that deviates from this in its increased speed.  This and the closing title track were my personal favorites.  I will say that in terms of this style, Dark Funeral have created a record that is 1000% stronger than Gorgoroth's latest output, and I personally thought it was more enjoyable than the last Mayhem offering as well, though I will probably recieve some argument on that one.  But as someone who continues to seek out the latest from the genre, overall I am left feeling amiss.

If you are like me and have been following the latest experimentation of the depths from Blut Aus Nord, Titaan, or Schammasch to name just a few; this record will probably leave you feeling a bit lukewarm.  It's hard to enjoy walking around your own backyard as much when you have traveled the wonders of Machu Picchu or the great pyramids.  With so much having already been done before in this style, it takes a very powerful performance to win me over.  However, I respect the parameters of this album and feel that it is still a worthwhile experience for those who prefer to play it close to the chest.  Wherever you happen to land on this spectrum, I encourage you to explore the tracks below and make the decision that is best for you.  Don't forget your spiky armwear.