In the wake of the second, mainly norwegian, wave of Black Metal there were already two obvious off-springs: the theme of the voidness of space in lyrics of BM bands and the special musical melodies by keyboards to support such flair. There were already the pathfinders Limbonic Art that released their 3rd album in 1998, as well as other bands with a comparable musical approach like norwegian Obtained Enslavement and temporal companions like the german Obsidian Gate. And, of course, above all the big influence of Emperor who walk the path since 1994. All of said names contributed as pathfinders to the musical metal sub-style which is named Symphonic Black Metal today.

„The Sad Realm of the Stars“ counts 8 reviews on metal archives with an average of 90% and you may refer to them to learn more of this album. I say those 10 songs in approx. 46 minutes are still relevant to this day; even if their influence was limited due to small output numbers. But if you listen to this underground music in 2024 it still sounds fresh and inspired. The combination of melodies and brutal vocal delivery is still in current use; like the rapid change between outraging speed parts and harmonious melody leads. And there is still the sense of the expanding genre that is yet to be fully explored; so is the enthusiasm that catches up with the listener even after 26 years and brings back the pure joy of playing Black Metal from the early days.

So if you are young and new to the party and want to taste the spirit of the founding times of Black Metal beyond the well known VIPs, you might want to check out this album.

Review by Starduster for Undergrounded.de

1. Winterpath  
2. Towards the Forest Horizon 
3. Palace of Forgotten Dreams  
4. Thy Eternal Nightfall   
5. The Sad Realm of the Stars   
6. Northern Flames 
7. Through the Sorrowfilled Forest   
8. The Brightness of the Weeping Kingdom  
9. Riding the Starwinds 
10. Altering the State of Being