Iskald - Revelations of Reckoning Day

Norwegian band Iskald return with their new album "Revelations of Reckoning Day", and what an album it is. Iskald serve up nine tracks of blackened death metal with hints of thrash here and there. I am constantly reminded of the monumental Dissection and their use of (dis)harmonies to create a desired atmosphere in their songs; Iskald do it too, and the guitar moves effortlessly between distinct staccato riffing and eerie arpeggios. Occasionally we are treated to an acoustic part, but do not fret, Iskald soon bring the distortion back in the game. The riffs are overall very good, and I never once felt bored listening to the album.

The drumming is good (in today's black metal scene it has to be) and drummer Aage provides the perfect backbone for the music, whether it be blasting tornados of kick drums or a steady four-beat. It should be noted that speed freaks need not bother; while "Revelations of Reckoning Day" by no means heads into doom metal territory, it's not really "Panzer Division Marduk" either. Most of the songs switch between a catchy midtempo beat and a faster double-time.

The lyrics deal mostly with the subject of doomsday, which is evident in song titles such as the opening track "Ruin of Mankind", "Endtime" and the last track on the album, "Dommedag" (doomsday in Norwegian).

I will give "Revelations of Reckoning Day" a solid 8/10; while not an instant classic like Dissection's "Reinkaos", it is an album that you will thoroughly enjoy, now as well as ten years from now.

Band link: http://www.iskald.com/
http://www.myspace.com/iskald