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ENTHRAL (NOR) "The Mirror Opposite's End" (1998) [HOT RECORDS] Playing time: 73.46"
When I was in Norway two years ago Hot Records presented me the fantastic debut album "Prophecies of the dying" of a really worth Norwegian band called Enthral (to me one of the most talented band I've listened to) and I was really enthusiastic about their enchanting music. "The Mirror's Opposite End" is the long (but never boring) second chapter (and if you still haven't their first one I really advice you to buy it too) of Enthral's music that is really difficult to label as these skilled (finally I'm proud to present you a drummer who is really able to handle his instrument to create suitable atmospheres) Norwegian musicians play really good black metal but they are also able to put in their music different elements in a really intelligent and harmonious way: slow deep parts which remind me the feelings of doom metal, other ones which remind me Celtic(!) music as in "Call of the Horned Piper- The Sabbat Song", symphonic atmospheres using keyboards (by ex-Dimmu Borgir Stian Aarstad), cool breaks, spoken parts, clean vocals, female vocals and cello as in "Passion Swept" and other interesting effects which adds perfectly to their full of dark and discouraged feelings music. And when your ears will be satisfied by this rich music also your eyes will be delight by the fantastic paintings on the booklet. All music, lyrics and paintings are really deep so this album needs more than a superficial listening, reading, look(!): like a mirror of emotions that is so beautiful to see but not easy to read.
[If you are enchanted by Enthral's music too and you desire to continue this idyllic mood you can read their interview, playing their album one more time.]
Reviewed by Lidia Buscaino






Down The Wind 'zine