A Journey Through German Pagan Metal
Sometimes you need to look back to move forward. XIV Dark Centuries have understood this – and how! After more than 25 years in the business, these Thuringian veterans deliver an album that grabs me from the first second and refuses to let go.
The Old Masters Send Their Regards
Let me be upfront: if you’re expecting purist Pagan Metal here, you might be in for a surprise. Because these guys have been digging deep into the treasure chest. Dimmu Borgir from their 90s glory days, Enslaved, Immortal – and of course those immortal Bathory hymns. All these influences are far more present this time around than on previous releases. But don’t worry: this isn’t cheap retro posturing. XIV Dark Centuries know how to weave these references organically into their sound without losing their own identity.
More Than Just Another Pagan Album
What really impresses me is the balance. On one hand, there’s this archaic force that punches the air out of your lungs – on the other, those melodic moments that get under your skin. The production is tighter, more detailed, denser than anything the band has delivered before. This wasn’t just bashed out carelessly; it was crafted with genuine love for detail.
Thematically, we’re on familiar ground: myths, legends, the connection to nature and one’s own roots. But – and this is the crucial point – it sounds mature. You can feel with every track that these aren’t just musicians at work, but storytellers who know what they’re talking about. These songs are chronicles, dark and haunting.
Verdict
From „Aus den Nebeln der…“ to the closing „Nahab,“ the album takes us on a journey through cold halls, icy mists, and eternal darkness. Yes, that sounds like typical metal pathos – but XIV Dark Centuries mean it. And you can hear it. If you’re into atmospheric Pagan Metal with a blackened edge and don’t mind indulging in some nostalgic 90s memories, you’ll get your money’s worth here.
An album that unites past and present. Strong stuff!
Tracklist:
Aus den Nebeln der…
Unendlichkeit
Aura der Dunkelheit
Rachelust der Ewigkeit
Das Portal
Aus eiskaltem Nebel
Wo Flüche leis‘ geflüstert
In kalten Hallen
Was ewig liegt
Nahab
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