Night Shall Crown Ye, the debut album of the young Russian band Artania, was already released in May 2011 via Grailight Productions. Now, it´s also available as a digital release through Hunter´s Moon Records.
Musically, Artania deliver very symphonic Black Metal, which is conveyed most clearly through the use of keyboards and Bathory´s female vocals. Their music is really worth a listen and that is because it´s very well executed, technically. The drummer beats the sh*t out of his drums, the guitars sound very clear and the vocals screech and growl the way they should. Only the keyboard falls a little behind because it is merely used to weave a certain sound tapestry without it ever coming off as a real, equal instrument. This also reveals the big weakness of Artania – their songwriting is nothing more than conventional. Too often, they take their inspiration from their huge idols like Dimmu Borgir. Occasionally, though, they show that they can do better like with the awesome Death Metal part in “Mysteries of Order of Priorate Zion” or the way too short guitar solo in “San Grinyol (Theatre of Death)”. All in all, however, the band appears to be too afraid to expect the listener to put up with a few more “rough edges”, courtesy of a more daring songwriting.
Interested listeners could give this debut record a try. But if Artania want to establish themselves in the scene instead of just sounding nice, they do have to emancipate from their idols soon.
Recommended tracks:
Mysteries of Order of Priorate Zion
Fogs of Witches Heath
Towards Northern
Thirteenth Sign of Nostradamus
Tracklist:
01. Alchemic Dream (Demonic Mantra)
02. Night Shall Crown Ye
03. Mysteries of Order of Priorate Zion
04. Liturgy in Black Colors
05. San-Grinyol (Theatre Of Death)
06. Fogs of Witches´ Heath
07. Towards Northern Wind
08. Thirteenth Sign of Nostradamus
09. Secrets of the Moon
