Review Summary: A well crafted but not particularly unique atmospheric black metal album.
Transcendence is an atmospheric black metal album that proves to be among Raventale’s best, and overall is a solid release. It isn’t particularly creative but it doesn’t need to be; Raventale are fine with where they are as a band, and they continue to issue predictable but decent releases. While the band aren’t exactly contributing new ideas to the genre with their (over ten minute) songs and repetitive melodies,
Transcendence is nonetheless extremely well put together and enjoyable in its own right. For a $3.99 album, that’s a steal.
Immediately noticeable is the album’s crystal clear production, but that’s just the icing on this cake. Prepare for an earful of icy riffs that allow melodies to shine like crystals reflecting the sun. The guitar tone really is perfect, and while we’re talking about instruments, the drummer can certainly exercise double bass petals and blastbeats, although he’s not one for variation. Then again, variation is not a factor in this album. This album is focused on providing ceaselessly glorious melodies that bend and stir as songs go on. The repetition is not unlike ocean waves that continue to crash and foam against the shore, and it’s just as inviting. Clamorous for sure but just as soothing, Raventale certainly understand the “atmospheric” part in atmospheric black metal. That’s not even mentioning the strings which gel so well with the guitar’s melodies that they practically go unnoticed. You can tell that the band put a lot of effort into crafting something with as flew flaws as possible.
Truth be told, there is little to complain about. I would have personally liked to see some interesting guitar hooks thrown in the mixture, but that may have muddled the overall product.
Transcendence is a safe, but very enjoyable album. It’s great background music for pretty much anything since it’s compelling and neither bores nor rubs off its welcome during the time allotted. Being a fairly average album does somewhat hinder its value, but if one only desires a solid piece of atmospheric black metal, Raventale’s latest should fit the bill.
