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Enthroned - Carnage In Worlds Beyond
Enthroned - Carnage In Worlds Beyond
Napalm Records NPR113 26th August 2002
By Russell Garwood
“Carnage In Worlds Beyond” is the fifth album from Belgian fivepiece Enthroned.
The band was formed by Sabathan (bass and vox) and drummer Cernunnos in 1993, and the duo were soon joined by guitarist Tseboath. The next member to join was second guitarist Nornagest, and then Nebiros, who replaced Tseboath.
In 1997, shortly before the recording of their second album, “Towards The Skullthrone Of Satan”, Cernunnos took his own life and was replaced by Namroth Blackthorn. Following Nebrios’ replacement with Nerath Daemon, and Blackthorn’s departure to be replaced by Seth’s Alsvid, the band’s line up seems to have stabilised. Following an Evil Omen Records album, and four releases through Blackened, the band’s latest is released under the Napalm Records moniker.
Enthroned play well-produced, traditional black metal with death touches. Largely chord-based guitars overlie fast, tight, double bass-driven drums, heavy bass and Emperor (In The Nightside Eclipse)-style witch vox. The music is generally of conventional structure, largely foregoing symphonics and atmospherics, instead focusing more on brutality to create the desired effect.
Standouts on “Carnage In Worlds Beyond” include the grating, extreme “Spawn From The Abyss”, a slower effort “Graced By Evil Blood” which even contains some acoustic guitar and clean vocals, and the blasting fury that is “Radiance Of Mordacity”. Overall, Enthroned are competent musicians. Their music has little variation, and is quite unoriginal, but should they maximise on the more unusual elements present in “Graced By Evil Blood” this could all change. At present, however, the band’s music will appeal to most fans of traditional black metal and perhaps those put off by the poor production often found in the genre.
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