ALBUM REVIEW: Cemetery Lights – The Underworld

Following two successful EPs, Cemetery Lights offer their first full length album of ripping Black Metal.

Beating drums bring us in with a ripping array of doomy guitar riffs quickly surging forth, a raw darkness clearly present in the music that has a storming drive and a surprisingly forthcoming bass sections that adds a thunderous roar to the thrashing warfare of the instrumental section that meanders alongside some deathly chilling vocals. Estranged prog influenced guitar riffs add some dissonant flare to the music which has this really weird atonality that I think will make this band really divisive for people, certainly either something you will like or hate, which I respect as that shows they are doing something a bit against the norm. Crashing cymbals keep you on your toes through the hypnotically primitive riffing cascade, ebbing in and out of traditionally chaotic black metal with some sounds reminiscent of Goatlord and then dropping some atmospheric cleans or psychotic progressions that completely catch you off guard.

I really like the attitude they take to their music with its provocative uniqueness and blistering aggression, also taking a gamble on a really bass-heavy tone that is really different to most black metal you will hear this year, for better or for worse. The main thing that holds this release back for me is it seems to lack direction and want to include a bit of everything without a clear reason, though that may be intentional as it does give a totally genuine feeling of chaos and unpredictability to it. We also are given the occasional lead guitar line that shows some nice use of melody while not straying from the mainstay oddness of the album for long.

Songs like “Elysium” used some beautifully melodic speed metal / NWOBHM style riffs that were absolutely marvellous and gave the album tons of lively energy, while in contrast plentiful really doomy sections that give the record a really occult and ritualistic feel amongst the thrashing assaults, it certainly does not lack atmospheric prowess, nor does it lack wacky Voivod style weirdness which for me is what makes this a memorable album without a doubt. If you are in the mood for some really off-kilter black metal with plenty of death, doom and thrash elements thrown in then this is certainly going to be one to keep note of if you like stuff on the stranger side.

I feel like the band have some really excellent ideas presented here and some of the work they have put into the songwriting is fantastic, however there is room to improve the execution and maybe tighten things by sticking with a few prime ideas and cutting the fat to make for a more concise listen, which hopefully future releases will see them do as with some fine-tuning they could become one of the more interesting bands to perform a modern and unique taste on old school black metal. With that said it was still a really enjoyable release, I am simply voicing the fact I think they have far more potential that we will hopefully see shine through in future years. Huge amount of respect for how unique this is though and certainly worth listening to!

If you want to know how it would sound to mix Necromantia, Voivod, Goatlord and Vulcano, this is probably the closest to an answer you can get. Maddeningly energetic with fierce riffs and some of the best bass work on a black metal record this year, melodically gorgeous and certainly not lacking in ideas, this does give you a bit of everything. With a bit more consistency or better transitional flow, these guys could be one of the better black metal bands of the present day. -8.5/10