Another Swedish gem recently suggested by the always-reliable uber-Bros over at Requiem Metal Podcast, Crystal Age were far from standard issue Scandinavian black/death, opting instead for an aggressively technical take on science-fiction-tinged deathgrind that would have been far more at home in Tampa than Gothenburg. I'm not sure how this one managed to stay off my radar for so long--perhaps it was the fact that members of the band went on to form Hammerfall--but I can't believe I slept on this one, as Divine Horizons might be the very definition of PRIME ILLCON FODDER. As per usual with obscure albums that are this good, it was Crystal Age's only full-length release, and its sheer intensity and obsessive attention to riffsmanship cause one to wonder what cosmic oceans this band could have navigated had they not turned to the twin vices of shampoo and power metal. But alas, the Universe works in mysterious ways.
I am utterly charmed by this odd, lonesome release, the recipe for which I've found to be something like this: Add equal parts Altars-era Morbid Angel, Voivod, Oxiplegatz, Death, and Revenant. (But definitely not Nocturnus. No Nocturnus similarities here whatsoever.) Boil, stir, and season with painfully awesome Star Wars samples. Remove shirt. Serve hella chill.
Download HERE
Purchase HERE
PS: They have a song called "Star Destroyer".
Metallum/Last.FMNo Nocturnus similarities here whatsoever.
Man, way to post about Nocturnus before I could post about Nocturnus.
ReplyDeleteI like the term 'riffsmanship'
ReplyDeleteI actually thought that WAS Thresholds. ...Glad I didn't skip over the post.
ReplyDeletefunny how you'd find a band who would want to plaigarise such an abysmally lame album cover...
ReplyDeleteNo, it is funny. On every level.
Eat magic mushrooms - and you will laugh at this post for between 3 and 5 hours. what a way to unwind after a gruelling day teaching 19 year old nymphettes about aesthetic photography techniques in a sun dappled meadow, with thunderclouds and rainbows in the sky.
It really happened.
Your day sounds like it was slightly better than mine.
ReplyDeleteehh... i still like the details on Nocturnus star destroyer better... i mean look at the wings on the back of Crystal age's cruiser THERE NOT EVEN THE SAME SIZE, theres no way that thing cold fly straight, and what the fucks up with the angle of the ship? if their trying to show it just came out of light speed with that angle, BULLSHIT, I ain't buyin it. with cover art like that good thing they called it quits after this release.
ReplyDeleteI just don't see it. What am I missing?
ReplyDeleteBut Bloodler, dude, shit doesn't have to be aerodynamic in space! Besides, man, the thing could be on its side, and the long wing is like a dorsal fin or something.
ReplyDeleteDamn thing swimming 'round like a Swedish space shark.
ReplyDeletethese guys have some connection to hammerfall I think, or some other similar band
ReplyDeleteI particularly enjoyed the massive spunkload of virus content and rogue anti-malware that came free with the download page! Thanks!
ReplyDeleteBoth portraits and both albums are superb
ReplyDelete