Band: Blackthorn
Record: Codex Archaos
Label: MSR Productions
Release year: 2011
Review by: Hèctor Prat

Related links
Blackthorn @ Metaladies
Blackthorn @ MySpace
Blackthorn @ Facebook
Blackthorn @ YouTube

Tracklist
1. Divination in Blood
2. Vehemence Came As Anodyne
3. Nemesis Incarnation
4. Gorgon the Ascendant
5. Emptysis Kiss
6. Arria Marcella
7. Posthumous Passion Ephemera
8. Dismalediction and the Remedy
9. (Silver Key)
10. Hexshadow Turned to Flesh
11. Bestial Satan of Grotesque Beauty
12. The Fading Ceremony

Blackthorn strikes back with “Codex Archaos”, the solidification of a style that began to be defined in their debut “Araneum”. The harshness of the blast-beats, the tormented keyboards and violins, and the bass lines feed the Blackthorn sound with darkness. On this basis, the guitars provide the power and energy riff by riff. The vocals, sometimes operatic sometimes guttural but always devilish, complete an excellent journey through the depths of hell.

Even being a compact and homogeneous album its dark symphonic metal has many faces, absorbing Dimmu Borgir’s epic and the gothic but tenebrous beauty of the early Cradle Of Filth. The technique and accuracy of these five evil goddesses is reflected in songs such as “Vehemence Came As Anodyne”, full of rhythm changes were all their weapons come into play.

“Codex Archaos” is as unpredictable as original, either by alternating tempos in compositions without a structural pattern or by details such as the piano of “Arria Marcella”, the violins in “Gorgon the Ascendant” or the demonic choirs of a “Posthumous Ephemera Passion” featuring great guitar lines, melodic yet metal.

The artwork is a plus for the CD, visually reflecting the universe that enters our ears. Finally, I need to emphasize the production, as no instrument detach more than other, only pushed to the front without abruptness when its presence is required by the song vibe.

These supplements are necessary to complete a professional and recommended release.

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Band: The Union
Record: Hul2h
Label: The Union
Release year: 2011

Related links
The Union @ Metaladies
The Union Official
The Union @ Facebook

Tracklist
1. HUL2H
2. Let Me
3. Higher
4. All of Your Words
5. Cold
6. Forever
7. Over
8. So We Fight
9. Barracuda
10. Devil’s Doll

The UnioN is a female solo project created in 2008 by Azul Far, a dedicated and pasionated musician who’s been working in this album from the summer of 2009 to the winter of 2011.

“HUL2H” This album is a collection of songs that equally gives out melodic smoothness and aggression through their riffs, resulting in a homogenous album in its concept, but heterogeneous in detail.

The album cover is a clear demonstration of this fact, showing Azul Far with angel wings but showing a defiant, serious but sensual face. The same as Azul’s music. “HUL2H” is filled with electronic refinements in its arrangements, that give an efective and personal touch to its gothic metal basis with every keystroke. Azul manages to adapt her voice, wrapped up in their own choirs, to fuse it with the guitar-generated power level of each song.

The album begins with the single that entitles the album, “HUL2H” a song with a strong keyboard presence running in mid-tempo to break into the powerful chorus where the guitars gain weight and presence. Is an example of what we find on the album, melodies and powerful worked riffs as a base, decorated with electronic arrangements. It is no coincidence as Azul love guitars and electronics as well.

“Let Me”, undoubtedly one of the hits from the album, shows more openly Azul Far skills on guitar, in a direct song with industrial components. “Higher” is a contemporary Gothic catchy anthem, while both “All Of Your Words” with its epic chorus and “Cold” are sonic roller coasters, where you’ll find calm against energy.

“Forever” is another of my favorites, thanks to Azul’s work at the mic and the combination of keyboards and guitars that make this one as elegant as powerful. The electronic touches are most evident in the album’s final stretch, noting “So We Fight” and the raw “Devil’s Doll”.As a complement, “Barracuda” is presented as a deserved and fitting tribute to Heart.

“HUL2H” is a commendable debut, not only for gothic metal lovers but for those who like the metal and electronics blend. An album (“How You Love To Hate”) that U will Love To Love.