CIRITH UNGOL: FOREVER BLACK
Cirith Ungol, kultni heavy metal band iz Venture, Kalifornije se upravo vratio iz
mrtvih nakon trideset godina stanke s novim albumom Forever Black da osvoji svijet
“Nije mrtvo što vječno leži, dok u čudnim vremenima ne umre i sama smrt.”
H.P. Lovecraft
Ovo je zapravo najbolji opis novog albuma, ovog legendarnog heavy metal benda. Naime, Cirith Ungol je osnovan početkom 70’ih, a najaktivnjiji su bili tijekom 80’ih na etiketi Metal Blade, te se raspao početkom 90’ih, nakon albuma Paradise Lost, dok je sam zvuk novog albuma je veoma svjež, kao da nije bilo stanke od 30. godina! Forever Black počinje s The Call, koja je zapravo zatišje pred orkan, orkan pod imenom Legions Arise, koji priziva sljedbenike Kraljeva Mrtvih.
The Frost Monstreme, uz Fire Divine i Before Tomorrow, osobno su moji favoriti, gdje se vraćaju svojim korijenima, heavy rock zvuku 70’ih, kakav je njihov debitantski album Frost & Fire.
U Stormbringer, tu je njihova vječna inspiracija, čuveni anti – junak iz pera Michaela Moorcocka, Elric, koji zahvaljujući Michaeal Whelanu, opet krasi naslovnicu albuma. Sama pjesma je upravo kao mač Stormbringer, samo kida sve ispred sebe.
Nightmare i Forever Black, su me podsjetile na njihov klasik, album King Of Dead, koji po meni, školski primjer što je zapravo heavy metal.
Također, moram spomeniti basistu Jarvisa Leatherbya kao i gitaristu Jima Barrazu, koji su sjajno odradili svoj posao, bez kojih vjerojatno ne bi došlo do povratka ovih legendi.
Sami dojam albuma, po meni je sjajan, jer kao što sam već prije naveo, stanka od 30. godina nije zahrđala oštricu Kraljeva Mrtvih, naprotiv, oštrija je nego ikad. Premda je naziv albuma Forever Black, za Cirith Ungol svakako nije.
“That is not dead which can eternal lie, and with strange aeons, even death may die.”
H.P. Lovecraft
This is actually the best way to describe new album, of this legendary band. Anyway, Cirith Ungol is founded in early 70’s, and they were most active during the 80’s on label Metal Blade, band broke up in early 90’s, after the releasing the album Paradise Lost, while sound of new album is very fresh, like there wasn’t pause of 30. years! Forever Black starts with The Call, which is actually calm before hurricane, hurricane named Legions Arise, that summons the disciples of Kings Of Dead.
The Frost Monstreme, among the Fire Divine and Before Tomorrow, are personally my favorites, where they are returning to their roots, 70’s heavy rock sound, like was their debut album Frost & Fire.
In Stormbringer, is their eternal inspiration, famous anti – hero from pen by Michael Moorcock, Elric, which thanks to Michael Whelan, again graces the cover of album. Song itself is exactly as sword Stormbringer, just cutting everything in front of it.
Nightmare and Forever Black reminded me on their classic, King Of Dead, which is in my opinon, school example of what is actually heavy metal.
Also, I had to mention bass player Jarvis Leatherby and guitar player Jim Barraza, who did great job, without which probably return of this legends wouldn’t happen.
Impression of album itself is in my opinion great, like I said before, 30.years break didn’t rusted the blade of Kings Of Dead, on the contrary, it is more sharpen than ever. Even the name of album is Forver Black, for Cirith Ungol is defintely not.