Album Review: Tristwood - Blackcrowned Majesty
Reviewed by Neil Bolton
Tristwood’s latest album 'Blackcrowned Majesty' is a tale about the the return of the legendary ruler Ar’ath. The music on this album describes her return to Ma’haxul, where she is crowned again by her faithful Rauthra.
Tristwood decided that they wish to move far away from what they call the plastic death metal bands of the moment that have far too much of a commercial sound in their music. The main man behind this thought was vocalist Obergrantler Jegger. A new bassist was sold on the idea using the description of out of date sounding music, and in 2017 Jegger, still with reservations, reluctantly joined the band in the studio to begin recording of 'Blackcrowned Majesty'. What you get is indeed a throw back to the past of black metal, very raw and intentionally under produced. There is nothing plastic sounding about his release.
As the first track 'Re-Enthronement of the Damned' begins, keyboards walk you towards the brutality you are about to face. A vocal "Ough" and we are off, blast beats and mayhem, with the keyboards seeping quietly into the background for a while. Jegger’s frankly manic vocals do make this stand out from other bands, he certainly sounds out of control. Further tracks on here mix the manic with the structured very well, 'The Hall of Rauthra’s Fate' tones down the manic-ness by a small percent while 'Bone Cathedral' ramps it back up again. The screams and moans lay the foundations to the final track “Nightshade Eternal”which is indeed the answer to the question did Rauthra join the Nightshade? You will have to listen, yourself, to answer this question.
The album is adorned with an oil painting that was commissioned for this release; showing only a hint of the anti-hero. It was created in the Alps by Ani van Sunnjurk in 2019.
If you like your blackened death raw and old school with the occasional keyboard supplement this album may well be up your darkened ally.
