Abused Majesty – Serpenthrone
Poland’s Abused Majesty’s first album is impressive in its combination of complex concept coupled with straightforward execution. For a band to make their debut a concept album about a little-known Polish myth is brave – they’re certainly not trying to be overly accessible. However, the music itself is structurally simple: blast beats, chugging rhythms, harsh death/black vocals, occasional keyboard lines and guitar riffs. Comparisons to early Emperor, Dimmu Borgir, and Cradle of Filth will inevitably be drawn, and the melodic elements and epic concept justify them. However, this is more polished than early Emperor, less bombastic than Dimmu, and the laughably contrived nature of Cradle is thankfully absent. Abused Majesty is nothing new, but there’s something to be said for taking the best elements or your predecessors and combining them into a cohesive whole. The album flows naturally, each track a chapter in the Serpenthrone tome. There are no throwaways here. If you like your metal straightforward but not brainless, give Serpenthrone a try. -Christine Lett
ADIPOCERE RECORDINGS
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