Sulphur - Thorns in Existence

Not at all what I expected, that’s for sure. I like the occasional shake-up in my listening routine.

From the very opening sounds of “Revelation,” Thorns in Existence from Norway’s Sulphur seemed to predispose itself into my good graces. A black-death outfit from Norway, the very land that brought us black metal in its second wave, these guys are not coattail riders by any stretch. The sophomore release is a blend of black metal and some pretty interesting musical twists and turns. This brand of black metal should be practiced a bit more instead of going for imaginary speed records. It’s certainly a winning hybrid. 

Heavy where needed and blackened where warranted, Sulphur creates a unique shadow throne for itself in tremendous riffing and fine drum work that throws you off when you expect the same old movement in your evil hymns. A subtle mix of thrash metal is evident throughout the album, and there seems to be a true feel for some classic sounds in here. For instance, the track “The Purifying Flame” moves along like a black-thrash effort at an even pace, but then hits the midway mark and flows off into some progressive spiel that doesn’t feel out of place at all. Just when you’re finding a little comfort in one particular sound, the band throws a not-so-obvious curve ball and stirs you from your zone and keeps you looking out for more twists along the ride. It’s a great CD to have for the fans among us that like an occasional challenge to our listening habits.

Try as I might, I could not find anything online, but in the track “Hunting Sickening Seas” the mid-vocals sound so much like an Ihsahn guest appearance it’s frightening. He has that very unique quality to his voice, so that was a highlight as well. The following track, “Luna Noctiluca,” is also a heavy, pounding groove that sets Sulphur apart from the hum-drum of the black metal scene.

With an unusual amount of outside devices and out-of-the-norm sounds accompanying Thorns in Existence, the CD can become a true favorite when it reaches a larger audience. Along with the welcomed shift in black metal gears, two new additions to the fold are present on this recording with Erik from Gorgoroth on drums and Vegard Hovland on bass. The overall production on the CD is fine, with most of the instruments mixed nicely save for the bass which is a tad low in the mix for my taste, but nothing to get in any uproar over. It’s still one of the most enjoyable black releases I’ve had the pleasure to hear, but as I said don’t expect Marduk or Profanatica here; the sound is black-prog, which could find its way into the mainstream of our underground if enough people find it cerebral enough to seek out.    

It’s a winner for the black metal fan that likes some variety and can adjust to change.

Release Date: November 9th, 2009
Label: Dark Essence Records

TRACK LISTING

1.  Revelation
2.  True Father of Lies
3.  The Purifying Flame
4.  Hunting Sickening Seas
5.  Luna Noctiluca
6.  Into Nothingness
7.  Invented Visions of Eternal Salvation
8.  Ravner beiter i banesår
9.  Throne of Illusion
10.  A Crimson Line

Total playing time: 44:42

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*Comments:

April 13, 2010

Reviewer: Chris