The Pitch: Malicious black metal spellcasting from Dallas, TX's Tyrannosorceress via Tofu Carnage Records. FFO: Ars Magnae Umbrae, Blaze of Perdition, Nightbringer
What I Like: Tyrannosorceress have a sound that is very much driven by ominous riffs and cavernous vocals. These elements create an atmosphere that is suspenseful and intensely evil sounding. The reverb paired with the sharp, grim delivery of each screech and rasp makes for a very strong delivery throughout the duration of Shattering Light's Creation. But by and large, it is the guitars that define the sound of this album. Like many other modern black metal groups, the production has been cleaned up, but the approach to performance continues to be purposefully boiled down to basics. Focus on morbid-sounding tremolos and earworm hooks is critical in building a profound sense of dread.
Critiques: Some of the slower moments had me checking out. I like the pace changes, but they could be better executed. The album also feels a bit too similar from song to song.
The Verdict: Shattering Light's Creation is a somewhat typical black metal album for the 2010's, but one that harnesses its strengths better than most. I recieve hundreds of BM albums a month these days, so any one of them that passes scrutiny for one of my reviews (not that I'm the be all expert by any means) should be worthy of your attention. Stream it early HERE.
Flight's Fav's: Haunting Black Infinity, The Angles Nine, Shattering Light's Creation