Tyrann

Shadows of Leng

Karisma / Dark Essence 2009

Featuring members of more famous Norwegian groups (1349 and Tsjuder) this unstoppable cataclysm of metallic devastation unleashes unrelenting annihilation on their debut album, Shadows of Leng.  The Initial track, Reaper is a firestorm of bestial death a la Angelcorpse.  The track features hyper-fast rhythmic riffing that hearkens back to early Possessed and Sodom but with a more modern feel.  Beneath showcases more of the same continuous flesh shredding hatred though it slows down to a slower pace towards the end allowing for both individuality and thrashier grooves to prosper.  Hellridden offers a slow and deliberate groove and brings to mind visions of cyclopean elder gods treading upon ancient alien landscapes with malevolent intentions streaking out from their gaze.  That is until frantic insanity spews forth like a volcanic eruption upon the listener.  Meanwhile Dreams of R’lyeh adds touches of atmosphere and caustic frostbite as each blizzard obscured note howls out from the guitar strings.  Soulburner is full-on thrashing mayhem with Slayer-esque riffing and well placed guitar harmonics.  In perhaps their most black metal moments, Carpathian Forest styled filth bubbles and bursts with noxious effect on Black Moon.  These Black N Roll passages give way to some Immortal styled blasting riffs that sever limbs while freezing the wounds before the blood can even begin to flow.  Lyrically Tyrann circles Lovecraftian themes.  With Shadows of Leng, Tyrann has taken the Nordic expectations and nearly obliterated them by taking an entirely different approach with frantically paced Angelcorpse references.  I leave each listen of this album feeling drained as its intensity sucks all energy from my withered shell.