Alghazanth – Eight Coffin Nails - Album Streaming & Download

Origin : Finland

Genre : Symphonic Black Metal

Release : 2018

Album Info / Review

Intro:
The chilling winds of the Finnish north have once again conjured forth a spectral entity from the abyss, this time in the form of Alghazanth’s latest offering, “Eight Coffin Nails.” Emerging from the shadows of black metal’s more esoteric and atmospheric corners, Alghazanth has consistently carved a niche for themselves with their ritualistic incantations and a palpable sense of dread that permeates their sonic landscapes. “Eight Coffin Nails,” their fifth full-length, is not a departure but a grim evolution, a deepening of their established sound into something even more suffocatingly oppressive and cosmically unsettling. This is not music for casual listening; it is an invocation, a descent into a cold, starless void where ancient horrors stir.

Track Analysis:
“The Serpent’s Embrace” opens the album with a dissonant, scraping guitar riff that immediately assaults the listener’s equilibrium, like fingernails dragging across a tombstone. The percussion is sparse yet impactful, building a sense of anticipation before the drums erupt in a furious, blast-beat torrent. Vocals, delivered in a guttural, almost whispered rasp, weave tales of cosmic insignificance and decaying faith. The mid-section introduces a mournful, almost funeral doom-esque passage, characterized by clean, reverb-drenched guitar arpeggios that offer a fleeting moment of melancholic beauty before being swallowed by renewed aggression.

“Whispers from the Void” lives up to its name with an almost ambient intro, featuring the distant tolling of bells and the unsettling murmur of unintelligible incantations. This atmospheric prelude is shattered by a relentless tremolo-picked riff, sharp and piercing like shards of ice. The song’s structure is deliberately disjointed, shifting between passages of frantic chaos and moments of stark, desolate calm. The keyboard work here is subtle but crucial, adding layers of dark organ and dissonant synths that enhance the feeling of unease without veering into overt symphonic territory.

“The Obscene Sacrament” is a masterclass in building tension. It begins with a slow, lumbering riff, heavy and suffocating, punctuated by the crashing of cymbals. The vocals are more pronounced on this track, delivering venomous pronouncements with a chilling clarity. A mid-song tempo shift sees the band unleash a barrage of technicality, with intricate guitar solos that are less about shredding and more about weaving dissonant melodies that claw at the psyche. The drumming is particularly noteworthy, exhibiting a relentless drive and precision that anchors the sonic storm.

“Beneath the Crimson Moon” offers a slightly more melodic, albeit still bleak, approach. The guitar melodies here are more defined, carrying a sense of tragic grandeur. However, this is quickly subverted by bursts of raw aggression and blast beats that recall early Norwegian black metal, but with Alghazanth’s signature modern production. The bassline is a thick, rumbling presence, providing a solid foundation for the swirling guitars.

“The Unseen Architect” is perhaps the most experimental track on the album. It opens with a droning, almost industrial-sounding synth pad, creating a palpable sense of alienation. This is joined by a heavily distorted, almost sludge-like guitar riff that moves at a glacial pace. The vocals are delivered in a more spoken-word, almost shamanistic fashion, adding to the ritualistic atmosphere. The track builds to a crescendo of chaotic noise and distorted shrieks, a sonic representation of cosmic unraveling.

“A Glimpse of Oblivion” returns to a more traditional black metal framework, with fast tremolo picking and relentless drumming. However, Alghazanth infuses it with their characteristic atmospheric touches, layering in eerie clean guitar passages and unsettling synth textures that paint a picture of a desolate, frozen wasteland. The vocal delivery is raw and desperate, conveying a sense of profound despair.

“The Last Rites” is a somber and introspective piece. It begins with a mournful acoustic guitar melody, a stark contrast to the preceding sonic onslaught. This is gradually joined by atmospheric keyboards and the distant echo of percussive hits. The track builds slowly, incorporating clean vocals that are hauntingly beautiful in their despair, before a final, crushing riff brings the album to a chillingly abrupt close.

“Eight Coffin Nails” concludes with an instrumental outro, a slow, decaying passage of ambient noise and static, leaving the listener in a state of profound unease and a lingering sense of dread.

Conclusion:
“Eight Coffin Nails” is a testament to Alghazanth’s unwavering commitment to crafting immersive and unsettling black metal. The album is a meticulously constructed tapestry of aggression, atmosphere, and ritualistic horror. It avoids the pitfalls of becoming a mere imitation of established tropes, instead forging its own path through the darkest reaches of the human psyche and the cosmos. The production is sharp and clear, allowing each instrument to breathe and contribute to the overall oppressive atmosphere. Alghazanth has delivered a suffocatingly potent and deeply rewarding experience for those willing to brave its frigid embrace.