Review by Felix on May 10, 2019.

Darkenhöld from France have already released their fourth full-length. I admit that I respect the stamina of widely ignored underground formations very much and, honestly speaking, I believe the here presented artists fall into this category. This is a pity, because the courageous dudes are seeking for a distinctive style.

Their quite melodic form of black metal is mixed with Viking choirs that appear from time to time, keyboards also emphasize the atmospheric side of their compositions and soft interludes prevent a harsh overall impression. The record label tells us that "the songs are an ode to the solitary explorations of the forests of South-Eastern France" and it might be this patriotic, naturalist approach that makes me think of Graveland. Yet the songs of Darkenhöld do not have much in common with that of Rob Darken's best tunes create. The hypnotic effect is missing. On a positive note, the album holds songs with a much higher degree of variety. Sometimes this way of proceeding leads to very good results. For example, the multi-layered "A l'orée de l'escalier sylvestre" creates a pretty intensive atmosphere at the end and does not lack speed and intensity. Nevertheless, it is also true that some songs fail to come to the point. They leave a relatively vapid taste, not bad, but, well, vapid. The problem is that the guitar work does not fully convince. A certain number of sequences is going nowhere, and effective riffing is not among the particular strengths of the band. However, inter alia the beginning of "Clameur des falaises" proves evidence that the explorers of the forests are (at least sometimes) definitely able to design a strong maelstrom of metallic guitars. Due to the fact that this track delivers some pretty fast and straight parts as well, I recommend listening to it if one wants to get in touch with this album.

The more or less typical lead vocals do not lack currishness or meanness, the production can be described as very solid and all songs reflect a meticulous song-writing process. Nevertheless, the album either lacks density or it is simply not brutal enough. Memoria Sylvarum sounds like the output of a very talented formation which is not able to bundle its strengths in an appropriate manner. That's sad, because the full-length offers many moments that indicate the actually great potential of the artists. The opulent - and very coherent - closer, for instance, turns from a somber part into an unleashed eruption and both sections are impressive. The guitars create a good flow and timpanist give the song a dramatic touch. Therefore, I can only encourage the band to put its harsh side into the focus of their next work while reducing heroic (and pretty annoying) background vocals and emotional sections. At the end, almost everything fits, the stylish artwork, the lyrical concept, the integrity of the musicians - only the music, and that is the tragedy of this release, leaves room for optimization.

Rating: 6.3 out of 10

Review by Denis on December 17, 2002.

I was never really interested in Black Metal until I heard "In Times Before the Light" from The Kovenant. Just like Tristania opened the world of the Gothic realm, The Kovenant introduced me to a never-ending journey into the Black fantasy kingdom.

There's only one-way to describe these musicians: creative geniuses! No other band can combine in such an aesthetic way the complexed musical phrases found in Progressive music, the raw and electrifying energy of Black Metal, all this sophisticatedly dressed liked a grand symphonic opus! Too bad I just discovered them recently. What have I been missing all these years?

The awesome cover art invites you to travel on a magnificent musical spaceship. What is about to be discovered is nothing else but breathtaking and highly exciting. It won't take long before your ears and eyes to pop out from exhilaration. Every single song is a piece of art and the multi facet that will be unveiled right from the first notes, won't even stop after the last one so the urge to press play again and again is far beyond human volition.

Everything on this album is perfect, especially in the balance of instruments and musical styles. The sound is just great. The devilish vocals of Nagash are here simply perfect. Not too upfront or in the background. Devilish but not overwhelming. Sometimes screaming and other times spoken and even theatrical like on 'The Last Dragons' or 'The Sulfur Feast'. The beauty of all this variety is completed by an angelic singer doing the back vocals on almost every song and goes even with a duo Mr. Nagash on 'Bringer of the Sixth Sun'. The rhythmic partitions are as changing as the mode is moving from super fast to moderate but all this remain top notch in their execution. The progressive construction of these compositions letting not a single chance to boredom to settle. You can expect a very thrilling and ever changing direction in pace and mood. Sometimes hectic, other time solemn and calmer without becoming romantic but one thing for sure is the atmosphere throughout sustain an incredible and grandiose aura that nobody else than The Kovenant can achieve. Don't worry for the Black Metal elements because they are all there. Not only Hellhammer can play a very complex prog style drumming but he also can do the machine gun skin beating too. The guitars! Blackheart and Asternu are teaming up to show you what great rifting and lead/solos are all about. Guitars, plenty of tracks full of memorable partitions and different sounds including cool clean electric notes just like in the intro of 'The Sulfur Feast' and in other numbers such as 'Planetarium', 'The Last Dragons'. Now for the keyboards, do they belong in Metal, especially in Black Metal? You bet they do and this album is going to change your mind if you think otherwise. Majestic, grandiose and symphonic aroma just like a pipe organ in a cathedral. Every song is blessed with this magical ambiance thanks to Sverd and his synths.

Memorable moments in songs like 'Bizarre Cosmic Industries' for its piano passage with guitar riffs built like a classical composition, moving to a moderate piano / acoustic guitar segment with female vocals or 'Bringer to the Sixth Sun' with that great male/female duo, the keyboard taking a church organ sound and the riffs being at their best. The closing number 'Chariots of Thunder' is a real jaw dropping experience including a thrilling atmosphere made of great riffs, awesome keyboards sounding like percussions, good lead and guitar solos, then becoming a very progressive piece with a superb lead guitar run while the keys are more spacy to ends up with beautiful female chants and a drum beat like a marching band slowly fading away to terminate this amazing composition...

Bottom Line: A genuine cosmic Black masterpiece dedicated to the essence of x-tra terrestrial existence!

Categorical Rating Breakdown

Musicianship: 10
Atmosphere: 10
Originality: 10
Production: 10
Overall: 10

Rating: 10 out of 10

Review by Luka on August 12, 2001.

The covenant created here is of some of Norway’s biggest black metal talents, of space-age synths, symphonic elements, and female vocals. The result is astonishing and the sound is like that of no other black metal band. The reputation and style Covenant have earned is "symphonic black metal", and it certainly suits. Any musician worth his salt has figured out that any band still playing standard black metal is doomed, since the whole scene has gotten out of control and spun itself to hell. And who’s left standing? Oddballs Cradle of Filth and Dimmu Borgir, and innovators like Emperor, Satyricon, and, of course, these boys.

So let us begin the ‘Sulphur Feast’. The listener is probed by the instruments and the proficient compositions, while hearing about the cosmos being devoured by aliens, clowns and dragons. Black Metal’s reigning master drummer-Hellhammer-delivers the extreme beats and rhythms like no other, and often adds skillful and intricate jazzy parts with the hi-hat and cymbals. The majestic and glorious, yet somehow sinister guitar-synth melodies compel your soul, while Sarah Jezebel Deva’s beautiful "starsong" adds eerie feeling and passion. Blackheart and Astennu, the two guitarists, know what they’re doing and solos are not hard to come by.

The song structures are intricate and unique, never the same twice and the tracks are just fun to listen to. Lots of feeling, inspiration and hard work, the album is truly amazing. The excellent cover is done by the famous metal cover-art messiah Andreas Marschall. It’s also important to add that Covenant’s is one of the coolest logos I’ve ever seen, symmetrical, sharp, and, of course, totally indiscernible! Everyone here did their work and the result is remarkable! The two extra-outstanding tracks are 'Bringer of the Sixth Sun' and 'Chariots of Thunder'.

Bottom Line: Very unique and interesting! True metal talent and innovation.

Categorical Rating Breakdown

Originality: 9
Musicianship: 8
Atmosphere: 8
Production: 8
Overall: 9

Rating: 8.4 out of 10