Vehemency As a heavy consumer of hissing, dusty black metal tape demos, polished and melodic black metal has never triggered any proper interest in me. But if the former was always done as successfully as on Hyperborean’s The Spirit of Warfare, my general opinion would most likely change.

The most important thing is that Hyperborean doesn’t even try to sound really evil and morbid, hence the clear sound fits the soundscape which is laden with lead melodies à la Horn, though it could be better to mention some death metal bands at this point, since The Spirit of Warfare, with its myriad of melodies, could be seen better as a death- than black metal album, also due to its adventurous song progressions that are quite far from cold and monotonous black metal. However, one can still notice a clear Dissection influence running through the album’s veins.

At its best, The Spirit of Warfare is on ”Weapon Mankind” where a solid piano melody and emotional tremelo guitars work together beautifully, and another highlight is the ten-minute centerpiece ”The Last Stand of Leonidas and the Battle of Thermopylaye” that focuses more on creating atmosphere - with the help of subtle synths - rather than tight guitarwork. What comes to the album’s negative sides, there’s the production that, even if I can accept the overall clear sound, could sound more full, as right now there’s a slight lack of bass guitar and the drums are somewhat plastic.

It’s not that The Spirit of Warfare changes my life nor my general impression of melodic black metal, but it’s the kind of album that I really enjoy listening to every now and then, thus deserving a favorable rating. I could see The Spirit of Warfare as an ideal album for someone not really into black metal, as his first steps towards an explorable genre. And, logically, those merely into the filthiest of sounds better avoid this one.

The Block Channeling the Spirit of Warfare

Swedish black metal act, Hyperborean has been around since 2000, yet this is their first full length release. Since 2000 they’ve released a couple of demos, but so far they have released nothing near the quality of this album. Bordering on straight up death metal this very melodic black metal album has a deep dark atmosphere that is punctuated with fast blast beat drums and wailing guitars.

The music, especially the fist track “Channeling the Spirit of Warfare”, almost reminds me of Death in a way. The guitars on the first track are almost identical to Chuck Schuldiner’s, and I mean that in the best way possible. Though classified by most as black metal, I find myself thinking it leans more towards death metal. With the occasional keyboard accompaniment, this album can become very technical, especially in the guitars and the above mentioned keyboards. Andreas Blomkvist, who plays both on the album, is an excellent musician, and throughout the album it really shows. Magnus Persson’s vocals on this album are also quite superb. Bordering on a black metal growl, while also incorporating a death metal type tone to it, Persson’s voice is killer on all the songs, and is carried above the band very well, especially on “Viper” and “A New Sun Rises”.

Most black metal or death/black metal in this case, would not have that so called ‘bite’ if it weren’t for the deep underlying tones of the bass. When the two are played together the contrast in sounds really bring out the two instruments, giving the music that sound. This album in no way lacks that and that is extremely evident during the guitar solo on “A New Sun Rises”. Max Lindberg lays down some great background figures to back up Andreas Blomkvist, who is equally talented.

The production of this album is expertly done, with a dark, foreboding feel that really brings out the best in the band.

Hyperborean has really got something going for them, and it shines through in their first full length album. This album is in no way that harsh, threatening style one is used to when thinking about black metal. No, this album offers up some harsh melodies, by its also melodic in its own way. For a great release, Hyperborean gets 4 stars.