The term "blackened death metal" has been used to describe many black metal bands that have been influenced by black metal, but there are also black metal bands that have been influenced by death metal -- and
Netherbird
is such a band.
The Ghost Collector
is symphonic black metal with elements of melodic death metal and occasional hints of gothic metal. Most of the extreme vocals on this 2005-2007 recording are black metal-style rasp vocals, although there are plenty of "Cookie Monster" vocals (a prime ingredient of death metal) as well.
is symphonic black metal first and foremost, but melodic death metal is certainly an influence -- and this Swedish outfit reminds us of the things that symphonic black metal and melodic death metal have in common. Both thrive on aggression and intensity, but also value melody, songcraft, musicality, and nuance; so even though
isn't exactly an
Enya
or
Sarah McLachlan
album, it isn't the type of unforgiving black metal slaughterfest that pummels and clobbers the listener simply for the sake of pummeling and clobbering the listener. And in addition to its black metal orientation and death metal influence,
occasionally hints at gothic metal with some clean female vocals (which probably should have been more prominent -- the gothic metal factor is something
would do well to expand). This 62-minute CD has good intentions, but unfortunately, most of the tunes simply aren't very memorable.
is one of those releases that should have been excellent but is merely competent instead. Nonetheless,
have potential. They're worth keeping an eye on -- and with the right material, they might achieve the sort of excellence they should have achieved on
. ~ Alex Henderson