Svartsyn 

Timeless Reign

Carnal Records 2007

Having had experience before with these Swedish masters of perpetual blackness I knew the stark and barren piano intro was a going to set me up for the strike of overwhelmingly intense and raw black metal.  With Timeless Reign I think that Svartsyn has bested themselves and this album represents their most accomplished work to date.  The songwriting on this album is flawless as it is bleak and unrelenting in its assault.  With opener Surth Lit the Earth Svartsyn delves deep into the eternal void utilizing subtle melodies and cutting guitar rhythms.  Sanctus Satanas alternates between tempos of blinding rage and one which embodies the feeling of marching undead hordes.  And a sense of earthen atmosphere sinks in as each trilling melody sweeps across this natural landscape.  Birth of Terror is my favorite song that is sort of contrary to its name as it is sort of an inspiring song with a very triumphant main riff.  Each song reeks of the deep moss covered recesses of the deep forest as the production lends a true sense of anti-technology to the album.  No plastic over production will be found here.  A band like Svartsyn can achieve a connection with the listener through sincerity and atmospheric songwriting that outshines many of their more well known peers like Watain and Marduk.  Not to take anything away from either of those bands, it is just that Svartsyn appears darker and comes across as having just marched out of the forest with a banner of anti-xtian hate held high aloft the hordes of unearthly denizens.  If you are unfamiliar with Svartsyn and raw and primitive Swedish black metal is endeared unto your blackened heart then Timeless Reign should be at the top of your list of albums to obtain.  If you are familiar with Svartsyn then you should be warned this is their best album yet!!!!