France’s Medieval black metal act Darkenhöld has been super productive since forming in 2008, with 5 albums and a few splits. But for some reason, I have yet to hear any of them. Which is a surprise, as this castle-storming style of black metal is my jam.

You’d be forgiven for wondering why these guys are not on French label, Antiq Records, who specialize in this sort of heroic, medieval-styled black metal with bands like Vehemence, Ascète, and Passéisme. They certainly fit the bill with their distinct, enjoyable sound. I’d throw in Sühnopfer too, though less busy.

At its core, I hear lots of earlier Abigor, replete with oodles of war drums, some Obsequiae, and in some of the riffs, some early …And Oceans. sprinkled with a little Dungeon Synth. It all comes together to form 48 minutes of very cool, fairly unique black metal, with lots of rousing moments full of dark ages-inspired moments and lots of cool keyboards.

From opener “Codex de la chevalerie” to closer “Pour le royaume”, I really enjoyed every moment of the album’s rich, rousing delivery. Even the two instrumentals. It’s hard not to envision mounted French cavalry, with banners flowing and armor glimmering in the sunlight as they head towards Agincourt or Crécy (only to get theier asses handed to them- sorry my English is showing) when listening to the likes of “Le cortège royal”, “L’ascension du mage noir” ( where I really got the early…And Oceans vibe), “Troubadour” (with its rousing, militant choirs), the title track and haughty trot/gallop of “La cavalerie fantôme”.

Pleasantly melodic closer “Pour le royaume” ends the album on a real high, shrill, bouncy note with a couple of delicate little chamber music injections.  And like other recent symphonic black metal discoveries of mine, Labyrinthus Stellarum, and Obšar I am feverishly trying to find and purchase the band’s back catalog.

[Visit the band's website]

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