Ellende
Todbringer


4.5
superb

Review

by Have you tried jamming Helcaraxe? CONTRIBUTOR (134 Reviews)
October 17th, 2017 | 37 replies


Release Date: 2016 | Tracklist

Review Summary: A marriage of bleak and beautiful

Todbringer is a rather curious affair. It isn’t what I would call an eclectic or bizarre record, but it is seemingly unlike anything I have heard before. Its tone is one that holds you captive whilst barraging you with bleak, tortured shrieks, and dismal guitar work. This isn’t exactly treading new ground for black metal (especially the subset of black metal this album dabbles in), but the way in which this is executed is something else entirely. It isn’t a record of swelling sadness because it set itself out to be one. No, perhaps what makes this album so heart-wrenching is how it paints the image of hueless skies and decaying fauna while remaining natural and well-grounded . Whether it be through sweeping guitar riffs, flourishes of piano or through the mix of ugly rasps and shrieks, the sense of despair always worms its way in.

This is not to say, however, that joy doesn’t rear its head at all. In fact, the last two tracks of this album (if you include the bonus acoustic track, that is) are rife with a bittersweet sort of happiness. No, not quite the “light at the end of the tunnel” form of happiness, nor the “hope in the darkest of place” form of it either. What is found here, through building snares and melancholic acoustic guitar, is something more akin to acceptance. The feeling when one bears so much heartache that the only way to feel peace is to shove it all aside, and start anew. Maybe the curious sound of this album isn’t so alien-maybe it’s the sound of something that resides within all of us, urging us onward through the mire of life.



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user ratings (70)
3.9
excellent


Comments:Add a Comment 
Dedes
Contributing Reviewer
October 17th 2017


9949 Comments

Album Rating: 4.0

This is a seriously underrated gem imo

Elynna
October 17th 2017


1428 Comments

Album Rating: 4.5

This band deserves much more recognition, Todbringer is one of my favourite albums from last year. Have a pos for this sweet, little review.

Dedes
Contributing Reviewer
October 17th 2017


9949 Comments

Album Rating: 4.0

Thanks man! I'll probably listen to the rest of their stuff but we will see.

Rastapunk
October 17th 2017


1540 Comments

Album Rating: 4.0

So underrated!



Nice rev!

superluminals
October 17th 2017


946 Comments


But did this review explain why this skeleton is playing a violin?

Hm

Keyblade
October 17th 2017


30678 Comments


their last album was nice

ScuroFantasma
Emeritus
October 17th 2017


11967 Comments


Excellent writing dede, will check this sounds really cool

Hawks
October 18th 2017


86785 Comments

Album Rating: 4.0

Gotta check this.

Sevengill
October 18th 2017


11928 Comments

Album Rating: 4.0

yessss this album so needed a review. good work mate.



"he is a skeleton alive undead"

gold star comment

Orb
October 18th 2017


9341 Comments

Album Rating: 3.5

FINALLY! Man I'm actually so stoked this got some recognition. Album is life. Hard pos.

Hawks
October 18th 2017


86785 Comments

Album Rating: 4.0

This slays so far.

Dedes
Contributing Reviewer
October 18th 2017


9949 Comments

Album Rating: 4.0

Glad everyone is enjoying this!

ramon.
October 18th 2017


4181 Comments


Yea this was a fun time iirc, glad it got a review! Sweet little review man.

Dedes
Contributing Reviewer
October 18th 2017


9949 Comments

Album Rating: 4.0

Little indeed haha. Might be my shortest write- up yet.

Orb
October 18th 2017


9341 Comments

Album Rating: 3.5

I cant remember what track, but there's a part where he puts a flanging effect on his vocals and its ridiculously captivating. First time Ive ever heard bm vocals utilize that.

Dedes
Contributing Reviewer
October 18th 2017


9949 Comments

Album Rating: 4.0

It's the second track and that part is fucking magnificent.

Hawks
October 18th 2017


86785 Comments

Album Rating: 4.0

Vox here are insane agreed.

Rastapunk
October 18th 2017


1540 Comments

Album Rating: 4.0

Oh I always thought it was a bad download from bandcamp that got me that effect Evok. Always loved that effect so I kept it. Nice to see it was intended! That's pretty uncommon for that genre!

Atari
Staff Reviewer
October 18th 2017


27945 Comments


damn I love that artwork

nice little review too, I'm on it

Dedes
Contributing Reviewer
October 18th 2017


9949 Comments

Album Rating: 4.0

Thanks dude, hope you enjoy it.



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