Review by Alex on December 11, 2019.

Good Norwegian black metal has become more of a rare commodity since its disturbing first echoes into the realm of metal. Church burnings, murders and all the grotesqueness acquainted with the scene at that time has taken a back seat to facilitate commercial success, and with people becoming more aware of this, it's understandable the interest and appeal of the sub-genre declined for a while. For me it never was the happenings that drove the status of those notorious albums released around that period of black metal, rather, it was the tunes themselves that garnered my attention. For others it was the senseless events that they were really interested in and gravitated towards; so, when people think Norwegian black metal or just black metal in general, that's usually the first set of things that come to mind which is unfortunate. It would emerge that with the dawn of the 2000s, the further away from the craziness black metal moved, the more marketable it became. And that to many meant a source of income for the time being.

Formed in 2003 Svarttjern have been very serious about their music and has put out four full length records with "Shame Is Just A Word" soon to be their fifth. Comprised of more notably Carpathian Forest and Ragnarok members, Svarttjern have built a respectful image of their music that has survived the drought of quality black metal from Norway. Due out January 17th, 2020 on Soulseller Records, the 8 tracks, just over 35 minutes new album offers a sprawling display of thrashing, rocking black metal cyclones influenced by the late first wave of the genre. No interludes or anything of the sort present on "Shame Is Just A Word", just candidly violent leads, solos and menacing vocals. 'Ment Til Å Tjene', the Immortal-esque 'Melodies of Lust' and 'Frost Embalmed Abyss' take a dump on some of the more recognized black metal releases from big bands out in 2019. I've heard some of them and they're so disappointing and embarrassing, in retrospect to what they made in the 90s; I can't believe those efforts are from such considered "legendary" bands. The songs on "Shame Is Just A Word" fucking slay, you won't even realize when the record is done. It's got the adequate run time in support of the instrumental delight, not too much nor too little only the necessary volume of prescriptions to cleanse your ear of the crap put out by superstar-status bands.

Being able to appropriately mix thrash metal and heavy metal with black metal is one of the formulas responsible for Svarttjern's success; 'Prince of Disgust', 'Bonded by Blood' and 'Shame is Just a Word' key-in on what makes the album (by what I would consider a veteran band given the members involvement with Carpathian Forest and Ragnarok) so fun to listen to. The vocals are excellent, the riffs especially on 'Melodies of Lust' and 'Frost Embalmed Abyss' are phenomenal; the drumming gives you that early thrash metal feel of fury on instances, while the production helps out through its clarity. Just a handful of bands could reach such a defining point in their musical journey and still remain relevant in a scene that consists of exorbitant amounts of banality, some of which need to hide behind edgy theatrics to even get a glance in their direction, thanks to the saturated mess of a genre. However, Svarttjern are a dependable breed far from the leeching hordes carrying the tag of self-proclamation, a reoccurring thing I see now.

For such a short offering of black metal, "Shame Is Just A Word" stands as a succinct entry in their discography, offering much more to remember and revere, than to disregard. With an early 2020 release in sight, Svarttjern with their new album have set a high bar that I feel many will fall embarrassingly short of once they undertake ascending to such a level.

Rating: 8.4 out of 10

Review by Alex on July 12, 2020.

Scheduled for an Iron Bonehead reissue on vinyl and CD after its success on cassette and digital formats, the 2nd output from Ascendency, Birth of an Eternal Empire, puts itself amidst the bruises and broken bones of black/death metal with a 2nd wave nimbus of bleakness hovering above its head. If that's inadequate to draw you in then would you feel better knowing that the band hail from Denmark and features Simon Daniel Larsen of Phrenelith who has also had time performing for Undergang live? I take it by now you're interested, but that's not all. Also, a member of Ascendency, is drummer Ugur Yildirim of the death metal band Taphos that put out a masterclass showing on their debut full-length album, "Come Ethereal Somberness". I take it by now you probably want to throw money at Ascendency, and I can't grudge you for that, it's understandable and warranted.

Birth of an Eternal Empire is black/death metal proper, whispering Beherit-like vocals, scaling guitars (very Dark Funeral or Thulcandra inspired leads), steady drumming and shuddering yet coronating atmospheric moments overlook the rise to power. Fittingly only four yet lengthy songs, the EP has an aggrandizing feel achieved through this, but more through the music itself. Shorter songs being 'Altered Beast' and 'Tread the Path to Supreme Veneration' get to the point fast despite their 5-minute run, while longer tracks like 'A Birth in Fire' play like theme music to an awakening to some omnipotent god or force. Easily hooked in from the beginning via the riffing, it forces the listener to sit through all that is Birth of an Eternal Empire. They're these tranquil moments that appear suddenly and lay a warm blanket over the hot 2nd wave black metal riffing. Not too often utilized but done enough with adequate changes in tempo to prevent a bland overcast. The production is somewhat sharp like they initially tried for a clean sound, but instead of appearing too friendly/accessible, it adds a violent coating to the album, therefore making the record more convincing as a black/death metal endeavor.

There's more that can be done with a formula of this sort, its left to Ascendency to decide how they wish to conduct themselves from here on out. They attracted the attention of Iron Bonehead with Birth of an Eternal Empire, but it will be more interesting to hear what they put out on the label exclusively. You might want to keep your sword within reach in preparation of a powerful premeditated attack soon to follow.

Rating: 7.5 out of 10