Review Summary: One of the most underrated and overlooked black metal albums of all-time.
Dark Funeral has always been a band that has been heavily criticized within the black metal scene. Purists say they're too generic, their production is too clean or they don't have enough variation within their catalogue. I, on the other hand, laud this band as one of Sweden's premier black metal acts. These guys have never pushed the envelope, but they do have a plethora of infectious riffs, pounding drums and vocals so shrill that they can tear the skin from a human body.
Attera Totus Sanctus is the band's fourth full-length album and, in my opinion, is one of the best black metal albums ever put to record.
This album is just pure bliss and the riffage is absolutely bonkers. Not to mention the absolutely savage vocal performance from Emperor Magus Caligula, which is easily one of the best I've ever heard on a black metal album. As I mentioned before, there's not a huge amount of variation from track to track, but what this album has in spades is hardcore riffs and a drumming performance that is absolutely one of the best I've ever heard. Blast beats beat the listener into submission throughout the entire runtime and Lord Ahriman's guitar will tear your soul completely apart. Lightning fast are the best words that I can use to describe
Attera Totus Sanctus. Each and every track, with the exception of the evil ballad-esque Artrum Regina, is a complete assault on the ears in the best way possible.
People may write Dark Funeral off as a gimmick. They may say negative things about the band as a whole and complain that all of their tracks sound exactly alike. I couldn't disagree more with those statements. If you're looking for black metal with a heavy emphasis on atmosphere or drawn-out riffs, then yes, this band probably isn't for you in the long run, but like I said, the riffs and drumming performance are completely bonkers and ferocious. The vocals are insanely high-pitched and sounds like Caligula is screaming from the depths of Hell itself. Black metal doesn't always have to be about atmosphere. Sometimes the more straightforward stuff is exactly what the doctor ordered, and in that regard, none do it better than Dark Funeral do it on
Attera Totus Sanctus. Do yourself a favor, if you want a pure black metal assault, do not miss out on this album.
