Tangorodrim

Justus Ex Fide Vivit

Southern Lord 2006

Now that I have the full version of this CD I figured it was time to revise this review a little.  Below is the original review and I have added to my impression above it.

I begin to wonder why they sent me the 3 songs that they originally did because the second half of the album is even better than the first.  The riffs are more developed and the songs more individual in their riff recognition.  The musical references are still the same though, Darkthrone and Hellhammer!!!  The Wolves are Also Coming plods along for its majority but then without notice a visceral yet freezing riff obliterates all within its path.  The title track follows the same pattern of funeral procession slowness complete with graveyard chants before it too increases the tempo while delivering its aural poison directly into your blackened soul.  Without Eyes and Anything is a mid-tempo crushing machine as it marches along with an old school vibe.  In a Way it increases the tension and devastating atmosphere without actually increasing tempo.  At least not noticeably.  With the full album now I appreciate the black metal holocaust these Israeli's have crafted even more than I originally did as it is a lot more filling with all six tracks to digest.  And with the final three being even a notch above the original three I received it just makes Justus Ex Fide Vivit even more of an audial extermination.  Ethnic cleansing for your ears!!!!!!

Original review: "This being my first exposure to Tangorodrim I was a little at a loss as to what to expect.  I had heard that they were primitive and traditional black metal somewhat akin to Darkthrone circa Under a Funeral Moon.  After hearing this promo CD I have no problem with this comparison.  The music is mind freezingly cold black metal of the raw and evil variety that recalls the glory days of the Norwegian scene or maybe a little of what we hear now from the Swedish scene.  In other words it is as cold and frigid as a glacial avalanche that buries you within icy shards.  I have been sent a three song sampler that includes the tracks When Heirs of the Horned Shamelessly Attack, No Light, and Cold Flame of Death.  The first track is more of a faster attack whereas No Light is kind of a mid-tempo stomper that reminds me of Hellhammer on some of their most up-tempo material before unleashing the infernal hellsaw assault of Cold Flame of Death.  The production is what one would expect from a band in this style with thin and trebly guitars and a hissing subdued drum.   Larenuff has some devastating vokillz!!!!  They are some of the most unearthly throat destruction wrought upon the listener's ears this side of Nocturno Culto off of Panzerfaust.  All Facets fit together in a perfectly malevolent tapestry formed from the foundation laid by the elder gods such as Darkthrone and Hellhammer. I get really nostalgic when I listen to a band capture the feeling of the old spirit within a new framework.  Tangorodrim has managed to do so without succumbing to any of the current trends plaguing the underground.  With this being a sampler of what I can expect from their new full length I will be one of the first people in line to purchase this upcoming gem."