Dark Fortress - Eidolon

October 23, 2008

Reviewer: Jesse

Dark Fortress is one of those bands that has been around for some time now and have managed to stay under most people’s radar despite releasing several outstanding albums.  Not that that is a rarity in metal or anything, but Dark Fortress’ style has always been fairly accessible and never too unlike what does seem to get other bands noticed.  They’re even on Century Media now and still don’t have much of a following. 

When I say “style” that in no way means that they’ve stagnated.  On the contrary, they’ve been one of the more unpredictable bands from album to album.  It’s just that none of the themes for each album has ever been very unique, but that doesn’t mean that they don’t do it extremely well.  They went from  structured, melodic black metal with good production, to under produced with an emphasis on synth and symphonics, to “grim” and bleak sounding raw black metal all in the span of three albums and the impressive thing is that each album was exceptional.  Generally when a band jumps around like that, the material is mediocre at best.  The one constant however was that they were on fairly underground labels, Red Stream and Black Atakk.  Then Century Media came knocking and what came next would basically solidify why people don’t like that label.  Their fourth album, Séance, was a slow, boring, lifeless and hopeless waste of time.  None of that creative spirit from the first three albums was present on Séance and I was fully prepared to write them off as another big label casualty.  Of course, one could argue that the label had nothing to do with it, but it’s certainly coincidental. That was until they released Eidolon. 

I was a little hesitant, not only because of the forgettable nature of the last album, but original vocalist Azathoth was gone.  Not that he was irreplaceable by any means, but there’s a reason why he was around for so long and losing that kind of stability can threaten the structural integrity of a band… or strengthen it.

Three songs into Eidolon it was apparent that not only did they scrap the blueprint for Séance, but they probably pissed on it as well.  Eidolon is a dark and furious album that, naturally, is quite unlike any other album they’ve made to this point.  Granted, it’s still a very accessible and polished take on black metal, but it’s very catchy and incredibly well-written.  The new singer has a lot of range and power and at times, does a great Attila impression which is in full display on “Cohorror.”  “Baphomet” is easily the most rocking and headbangable song they’ve ever written.  This kind of song would never have been recorded on an earlier album.  It’s fast, fun, dark and painfully catchy.  Tom Warrior even makes a guest appearance for several lines.

All in all, I’m happy that Dark Fortress is still able to continue with their ability to challenge themselves from album to album by not rehashing too much.  Sometimes you need that band around that isn’t unique at all but manages to keep their album in your player for weeks and Eidolon is a perfect example of just that.

Release Date: February 25th, 2008
Label: Century Media Records

TRACK LISTING

1. The Silver Gate
2. Cohorror
3. Baphomet
4. The Unflesh
5. Analepsy
6. Edge of Night
7. No Longer Humn
8. Catacrusis
9. Antiversum

Total playing time: 51:29

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