Label: Cold Sword Productions
Origin: Saint Petersburg, Russia
The Flame of Truth is an resplendent musical buffet of resolute extreme metal riffs, stuffed with tasteful nods to the early second wave. While wicked guitar-work composes the base of Alter of Woe‘s devious dishes, demonic vocals and eerie soundscapes peppered throughout the brief record elevate the evil flavors of this masterpiece, and keep the listener returning for seconds.
Clocking in at a mere 23 minutes, and spanning six tracks, The Flame of Truth offers only a sample of the potential of Alter of Woe, commanded by jack-of-all-trades “Elias.” Indeed, the chemical complexity of this record conjures images of a room full of Satanic warriors, each brandishing his own diabolical apparatus, whereas in fact, this is a one-man band. Also evident in this body of work is the historical knowledge and influence that is baked into every offering: Elias is a studied man of the black metal past. He has mined the precious elements of now-lauded works of the 90’s and smelted them into a refined work of art, carefully discarding unnecessary toxic waste.
Opening track, “Князев Курган” is a fantastic example of the no-frills tendencies of Alter of Woe. Maintaining a moderate pace, refreshingly sans overwhelming blast-beating, the chunky, meandering supporting riffs contrast superiorly with Elias’s bare-bones vocals. Searing leads connect sections with ease, threading a hypodermic needle through symphonic arteries and strung-out growls alike: this is how black metal should always make you feel. Title track, “The Flame of Truth,” advances the refined approach into a more chaotic realm, and Elias untethers some of the basest vocal belts on the record. Introductory drums and acoustic guitars climb aboard, making this another instantly classic black metal track. Tempered pacing gives geological space for the deposit of unrestrained layers of vocal grit. At the cusp of becoming too chaotic, the track transitions into a stripped-back sonic space of unearthly cries, and concludes with the comfort of expertly tightened minor chords.
In terms of influences, Altar of Woe extends its skeletal hand far and wide. The first ten seconds of “Inhaling the Crypt” follow a deadly thunderstorm with a crushing power chord. This instantly reminds the listener of heavy metal’s unholy dawn, Black Sabbath‘s half-century old self-titled debut track. The track dissolves into a frenzied aural assault of blackened precipitate, metaphorically representing the decades of evolution since that prototypical power chord launched the entire genre. The Black Sabbath genome returns with tolling church bells and crackling thunder near the close of the track, and soaring vehicles of death put the pedal to the metal and speed the blindsided listener to the crypt.
Perhaps the most ambitious track on The Flame of Truth is penultimate chaos-inducer “Unholy Reincarnation.” With a feedback-fueled introduction, galloping riffs and thunderous bass break through to rip eardrums apart before Elias’s shrieks can even reach them. Amidst a carnal headbanger’s feast, a steely power chord slices through the track, revealing Emperor-like chants (ala “An Elegy of Icaros”) that echo down the corridors of heavy metal history.
Стрелой мракобесия (3:34 - 7:07) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aJHthZC5bPs
Standout track, “Стрелой мракобесия,” begins with an eerie synthesized soundscape, evoking themes of mystical dungeons and vampiric bloodthirst. A single drum crack kicks the track into gear, and the synth returns to subtly drape the scorching riffs. The drums and guitars are then curtly ripped away, and austere, Watain-like vocals (nodding to Erik Danielsson) tear apart the dungeon-themed cage like the beast it contains. An abominably brutal riff forces the next passage of the track forward, accompanied by the demonic laughter that pervades Darkthrone or Satyricon. Unwavering, infernally satisfying growls finish the track off, instantly begging the replay button to provide another hit of raw evil.
Altar of Woe serves up an ungodly feast with The Flame of Truth, sure to please every black metal deity it attempts to serve. As the lone member of the band, Elias concocts a brilliant, restrained, yet dynamic banquet of flame-broiled riffs and blast-chilled vocals. Await with empty bellies an invitation to the next Satanic binge.
FFO: Watain, Darkthrone, Emperor, Marduk