Kekht Arakh
Pale Swordsman


4.5
superb

Review

by Gary STAFF
April 11th, 2021 | 98 replies


Release Date: 2021 | Tracklist

Review Summary: The classic old-fashioned melancholic black metal in action.

Other than hailing from Ukraine, there is not much known about the sole member behind Këkht Aräkh. Covered in mystery, under the artist name of Crying Orc, the band has been active since 2018. Ever since, Këkht Aräkh’s music has been getting better with each release due to the more adventurous songwriting and by building up a truly atmospheric sound-palette. And with Pale Swordsman, things got really serious.

Grim, eerie, melancholic and romantic: each of these moods can be heard through the riffs and ambient passages of Pale Swordsman. The unique cover art by itself could set the desired mood which is deeply part of this kind of music. You can see a dark environment with a grim figure holding a sword and a rose in each hand - this can be seen as a symbol of both the album’s, and perhaps, the genre’s encoded sharp contrasts. Black metal can sound about war (think about Black Metal Ist Krieg… by Nargaroth), and also fragile beauty, and sometimes: both at the same time. The creation of this kind of synergy is quite a challenge, but the artist really did an outstanding job in generating a thick atmosphere.

By all means, it is necessary to talk about the influences from where the Crying Orc drew inspiration. It is not hard to guess that perhaps, the early Burzum albums have had a very powerful impact on this release, especially noticeable in song structures and the riffing style (see the song: “Night Descends” for example.) The black metal songs flow very easily, the riffs feel very gently interlinked, despite the usually moderate tempo. On the other hand, similar style can be observed in the black metal Ulver albums where they inserted a similar melancholic vibe into their sound, like in Bergtatt for example. Also the early Judas Iscariot albums should be mentioned here, due to the resemblances in style (especially on the vocal front). Furthermore, the album consists of some dark ambient passages where usually the grand piano steps into the spotlight (in tracks like “Intro”, “Nocturne”), conjuring the atmosphere of desolate and ghostly melancholy - which is somewhat similar to early dungeon synth act Lamentation’s work.

The cobwebby tape hiss, several layers of distorted guitars, cawing vocals, simple drumming and of course the interludes: everything in this release screams about a deep love for the old-school ways. Anyone who is really into the overall production of Burzum’s Hvis lyset tar oss (like I am), will be very pleased about the overall sound and atmosphere (despite the lack of synths involved in this album). Perhaps the album’s closer song is the only track which somehow sticks out from the general early ‘90s black metal worship, where on top of a deeply melancholic piano melody, a poem is presented by gentle clean vocals, and this leaves a somewhat gothic vibe at the album’s end.

“...Sorrow is my only feeling
Through this everlasting season
I’m going without any reason

Winds whispering their secrets
Wandering in the night, I keep them
For you, I rid myself of evil

Gathering the stars for you
I rid myself of evil”

(from “Swordsman”)

Many tried, and many failed in capturing a memorably great atmosphere so perfectly through the “tools” of black metal. But Këkht Aräkh passed the test, bringing us the sweetest embrace of melancholia in Pale Swordsman. Fiendishly raw and sharp guitar fuzz, lyrics written like some of Poe’s works, emoitonal depth: this is romantic black metal.



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user ratings (145)
3.7
great

Comments:Add a Comment 
Gnocchi
Staff Reviewer
April 11th 2021


18262 Comments

Album Rating: 3.1

That sex appeal

garas
Staff Reviewer
April 11th 2021


8179 Comments

Album Rating: 4.6 | Sound Off

I'm really loving this.

Bandcamp: https://kekhtarakh.bandcamp.com/album/pale-swordsman

Gnocchi
Staff Reviewer
April 11th 2021


18262 Comments

Album Rating: 3.1

Rating does not match user score: negative

garas
Staff Reviewer
April 11th 2021


8179 Comments

Album Rating: 4.6 | Sound Off

> Rating does not match user score: negative

Ooops.

parksungjoon
April 11th 2021


47231 Comments


nothing wrong with that [:

JesperL
Staff Reviewer
April 11th 2021


5664 Comments


sex [2]

Voivod
Staff Reviewer
April 11th 2021


10937 Comments


This album is even more basic than the previous one.

That said, I'm not sure about a 5, but 3.4+ it is.

Good text.

garas
Staff Reviewer
April 11th 2021


8179 Comments

Album Rating: 4.6 | Sound Off

I didn't expect the 5.0s coming, this was just the perfect match to my niche taste. I ordered this on tape too.

And thanks Voivod!!

Bedex
April 11th 2021


3141 Comments

Album Rating: 4.0 | Sound Off

man that was a fast rev





nice garas m/

BallsToTheWall
April 11th 2021


51592 Comments


This review sounds like Sputnik 2009 and I’m hyped
About it. Will jam.

Dewinged
Staff Reviewer
April 12th 2021


32179 Comments


this calls me from the most feral depths of my soul.

nice review garas.

Dewinged
Staff Reviewer
April 12th 2021


32179 Comments


Enjoyed it, less than I expected, but that might be the migraine's AT field preventing the good vibes.

garas
Staff Reviewer
April 12th 2021


8179 Comments

Album Rating: 4.6 | Sound Off

Ugh, this is definitely not a good match with migraine. :|



"If you are into raw (very raw) melancholic, classic, black metal this is gonna make you feel special."

This sentence sounded like 100% me.

Dewinged
Staff Reviewer
April 12th 2021


32179 Comments


Cause it's written based on your review my dear ;)

DDDeftoneDDD
April 12th 2021


22796 Comments

Album Rating: 4.0

need to check this

TheNotrap
Staff Reviewer
April 12th 2021


19009 Comments


"this is romantic black metal."
as "I'm in love with satan, dearly"? ;)

Nice work garas, I need to check this romantic darkness.

Gnocchi
Staff Reviewer
April 12th 2021


18262 Comments

Album Rating: 3.1

Some staff rating flex on this one.

DadKungFu
Staff Reviewer
April 12th 2021


5489 Comments

Album Rating: 4.0

There's something really endearing about embracing an aesthetic this corny and I mean that in the best way possible

garas
Staff Reviewer
April 13th 2021


8179 Comments

Album Rating: 4.6 | Sound Off

This gets even better on rainy days...!

TheSpirit
Emeritus
April 13th 2021


30304 Comments

Album Rating: 4.5

Nice review. This artist is fantastic. Romantic black metal indeed. Still don't know if I prefer this or the debut, but both rule. Love the straightforwardness.



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