A Soundtrack Of Vintage Horror

Faustcoven-Rising From Below the Earth (BW-July '08)

Rising From Below the Earth was released by the mighty Barbarian Wrath in July of 2008; About a half a year later I finally get around to ordering my copy and am taken aback by what I heard on this album. After a first impression it would be easy to compare Faustcoven to an artist like Finland's Hail but one would be missing a more important dimension of Faustcoven, that being the traditional/doom metal influence to this album.

Now onto the album itself: Rising From Below the Earth flows like a classic horror novel with each song unfolding like a new chapter unveiling more horrors than the previous. The influence of H. P. Lovecraft coupled with the story telling style of King Diamond cannot be ignored here. In the very first track "At Night They Rise From Below the Earth" the lyrics read, " In A Most Profound mystery/the foul hand of fate did illuminate me/ I unearthed texts, I now try to forget;" If those works aren't tinged with visions of Lovecraftian Horror then I don't know what is. A similar style of lyric writing can be found on other tracks such as "A Wickedness Came Upon Them," and " A Caravan Of Plaguebearers." As for the influence of King Diamond's storytelling tactic, it is evident on most tracks throughout the album but possibly most visible on "Curse of the Voodoo Priest" which ironically enough is Gunnar's tribute to Mercyful Fate.

Musically the album is as versatile as the lyrics are; Meaning each track brings a different element to the table so to speak. For example "At Night They Rise From Below the Earth" greats the listener with a haunting guitar intro before one is inundated with the menacing lead guitar work of the song. The track "Barbarian Assault" opens with what sounds like tribal drums introducing the violent attack that this song brings. This wouldn't be Faustcoven if there were no Iommi-esque doom riffs found on the album and indeed they are present within "A Wickedness Came Upon Them" and "In the Court of Severe Judgement" among others. The vocals are performed in a low sort of guttural style that really complements the music and atmosphere the album invokes and the drumming only adds to what the guitar and lyrics help to establish .

Overall, when listening to Rising From Below the Earth, one is in for a full journey soaked in horror and obscure darkness, which the atmosphere of this album really establishes well. It is clearly evident that serious time and effort went into the making of this album and the result is a very unique release and one of the best that i've personally heard in the past couple of years. I hope that future releases will expand upon what has been started here.

9/10. BUY IT ! (I've also posted this review on the Metal-Archives).