[Previous entry: "CLANDESTINE BLAZE "Fire Burns In Our Hearts" CD BACK IN PRINT!!"] [Next entry: "WITCHCRAFT SAD GOATHOLOCAUST VOCIFERIAN RELEASES IN STOCK!"]

06/29/2006: "GROMM / ENDLESS BLIZZARD Review! (June 2006)"

* Posted June 2006 at
http://www.maelstrom.nu/ezine/review_iss45_3207.php?

GROMM / ENDLESS BLIZZARD
"In the Glare of Black/Beyond the Frozen Gates" (split) CD

review by: Megan Leo
Ratings: Gromm: 8.4/10, Endless Blizzard: 7/10 Megan

This blackmetal.com-released split features two black metal projects, GROMM and ENDLESS BLIZZARD. Gromm hails from the Ukraine while Endless Blizzard is USBM. They are very distinct in sound from one another and bring forth respectively, highly individualized styles.

This release starts with three tracks (in Russian) from Gromm. The production is raw, yet not lacking clarity. The drums are drenched in reverb and sound like they are played in the recesses of some cave. The guitars are actually quite unusual in that – besides the buzzsaw sound of the electrics’ abundant gain and distortion – there appears, on occasion, a clean guitar lending a small dose of melody, and an acoustic guitar at one point, played alongside the electrics. The riffs are creative, the rhythmic patterns distinct and cohesive. Lead guitar is infrequent, but when it is presented in the sonic structure it is tasteful and lends to the compositions without distracting from the skillful songwriting. The vocals bring to mind early Ihsahn stylistically, without suggesting plagiarism. The overall effect is a highly original piece of black metal.

Endless Blizzard’s part of the split features ten tracks. It begins with an intro entitled "Beyond the Frozen Gates," which moves to the track "Trenchant Dawn Elated" swiftly. As the riffing and understated drumming come through the speakers, I am instantly moved to conclude this "Bathory worship." Indeed, the rough and raw riff the track opens with contains many elements present on the first two Bathory records.

However, after a brief time, the song moves to a riff that is speed metal tinged with a hint of death metal. The track is quick, and soon it is over. Next is "Blood of the Elders," which is mid tempo, features a VERY raw sounding guitar that is soaked in distortion.

Both projects are adept at holding the listener’s attention, and are evocative of the harsh, cruel metal landscapes they wish to harness, in their own right. I found the three tracks contributed by Gromm to leave me wanting to hear more. Endless Blizzard, despite the cliché name, are an enjoyable black metal listening experience, in its hate fueled way. (Gromm: 8.4/10, Endless Blizzard: 7/10)

FREE MP3 CLIPS & MORE INFO HERE