If there is one thing that 1349 learnt with their transition from 'Liberation' to last years 'Beyond the Apocalypse' it was the essence of style. For all of their blinding speed and black as fuck evil grimness, 1349 were able to enhance upon their rawness and ultimately provide a much more listenable product the second time around. No matter how you dress it up, shit still stinks like shit and bottom of the barrel 3 dollar job productions just don't cut it anymore. 1349 are well aware of this and as such the massive developments made on 'BTA' have only been further enhanced on this years evil black metal platter 'Hellfire'.
Hellfire is another step up in quality for the band. Sure the diehards will thumb their nose at the bands lack of so called 'brutality' compared to their debut album - however, put this is far from being anything that you would call 'polished'. If you ask me, 1349 are a much more powerful band in 2005 and the sheer intensity and speed that 'Hellfire' captures simply commands your attention. Clearly the influence of Frost (Satyricon) and his phenomenal blackened blasting has much to do with 1349's continual rise up the Black Metal ladder. The guy is simply a whirlwind.
It's not that 'Hellfire' actually presents anything THAT different in terms of song writing either - its pretty much a given that this is designed to remove your crusty melon at ten paces - but structure wise, there appears to be a bit more though and depth about them. And with a better production (but one that is still steeped in the mould of authentic Dark Throne/Satyricon albums), plus the time keeping abilities of Frost, 'Hellfire' is also able to display a fair degree of variation - certainly darker, more brooding moments like 'Celestial Deconstruction' wouldn't have even been considered possible on their first album. Add to that, the 13min.49sec (nothing like aiming for pure symmetry) title track which displays not only a decidedly technical edge in the riff work mid track, but ends up turning in to full blown 'epic' with simply brilliant, dare I suggest 'melodic' guitar lines that rise and rise again over the incessant mid tempo double kick of Frost. Trust me - the title track is worth the admission price alone. Awesome epic Black Metal!!
Frost isn't the only trick in the 1349 bag either. Much kudos must go towards the cutting, jagged guitar work of Tjalve and Archaon who pretty much work in a solely unforgiving (on the listener that is) manner throughout, matching the demands of Frost at every change. Furthermore, the vocalising (well, it certainly isn't singing folks!) of frontman Ravn is also impressive, albeit delivered in a rather standard hellish blackened rasp.
As far as pure Black Metal is concerned, in 2005 1349's 'Hellfire' is simply the best thing I have heard. Violent and unforgiving in all aspects of sound and style, I am thoroughly impressed with the continual development that this band makes. Far from groundbreaking it may be, but in terms of providing a freshness and dynamic excitement to a well worn sound, 1349 are doing it way better than most. This Hellfire burns!
- Krozza
(See reviewer's scoring method)
