Nightbringer - Apocalypse Sun [The Ajna Offensive - 2010]‘Apocalypse Sun’ is the second album from highly respected, often complex and darkly precise psychedelic Us black metal project Nightbringer. And what an epic, twisting and turning yet controlled epic black maelstrom of an album this is- think a more US take on Deathspell Omega, but with very much it’s own black and prime evil identity, and you’ll be near to the blacked power, detail and scope of ‘Apocalypse Sun’. The albums pace is often fast to mid-pace with a few slower highly atmospheric or doomy dips present here and there, but for the most part the album rips and speeds by in a highly complex, epic and very controlled blacked manner. It takes numerous plays to unravel each grim and clever riff detail, and the many often subtle twists and turns with-in each track here- at times the band seem to be defying gravity and reason as the huge spiral, swirling and twisting dark psychedelic riffs contorted, bend and morph before your ears. But for all the bands clearly virtuoso and highly polished music talent this is never over showy or ego bound, every twist, turn and complex move adds to and heightens the dark and devilishly epic feeling of the record. With each riffs turn and sonic move being prime evil tinged, black psychedelic weaved, often grimly discordantly tipped and quite often highly memorable and grimly atmospheric. Underneath the spiralling, twisting and grim riff textures there are sometimes use of extra elements to enhance and deepen the albums blacked and epic atmosphere; we have banks of darkened choirs here and there, which add to the epic darkness of the material. Or sways of reverberating and drifting blacked drone textures which epimerize the dread filled and grim slower selections. Really there are so many layers, details and subtle textures at play here I’m still hearing new stuff on my seventh play through. Like the best and most played records ‘Apocalypse Sun’ creates it’s own virile and distinctive sonic universe for the listener to get lost in. It paints a world of grim, complex and shifting darkness that’s ribbed by angry, occultic airs and grim atmospherics. Truly Nightbringer are one of the best Black metal projects operating in the USA at present and ‘Apocalypse Sun’ is simply put a epic and engulfing complex masterpiece that any self respected lover of complex blacked music can not be without. Roger Batty
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