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Bloodrose > Into Oblivion > Reviews
Bloodrose - Into Oblivion

A rare gem - 95%

ÆON, January 22nd, 2009

Despite their forgettable and uncreative name, Bloodrose are certainly one of the finest black metal bands you've never heard of. In my opinion, there are several reasons that this, the sole full-length release of the Finnish quintet, stands apart from many other symphonic/melodic black metal albums released in the last ten years or so.

Not the least of these is its powerful recording/production quality. I don't just mean that it doesn't sound like total crap. "Into Oblivion" is highly polished and clear without compromising its heaviness, which is quite a feat (especially considering this is their first and only album). It's very difficult to record highly distorted, open-strummed guitars and put them in a mix with drums, bass, and keyboards without the end result sounding like a total mess.

Speaking of keyboards, Bloodrose illustrates why the presence of synth sounds is no reason to dismiss a black metal band. The keyboards heard in this album are very much part of the music without being overpowering or obnoxious (or lacking, for that matter). Each instrument takes equal share in creating the finished atmosphere; some melodies are better on guitar than on keys, and vice versa. This balance creates a cohesive, artistic vibe that can let you really appreciate the music... not just the musicians.

Having said that, the musicianship here is not lacking in the least. These guys have plenty of chops which they effectively showcase without showing off. The guitar riffs are interesting and ever-evolving; the drums aren't boring. The vocals are superbly grim. The songwriting is full of passion and balances blasting fast riffs with plenty of headbanger-worthy grooves. In short, this is a band that does what's right for the song.

"Into Oblivion" is one of my all-time favorite black metal albums. Actually, the term 'black metal' falls quite short of classifying this music, in my opinion. It's a shame that Bloodrose disbanded after such an astronomically powerful debut.

A great band - 93%

Sportswear, March 7th, 2004

A beautifully and powerfully constructed piece of music, tightly structured. Fast and beautiful riff work, with great added groove (don't mistake that word) expressed through a cold and bleak mood. Nice screams and the occasional growl suiting nicely. Keyboards complimenting the rest of the music to a crisp T. The word "Keyboards" can tend to put some people off black metal from time to time. Well this is an example that, for me, destroys that opinion. The keyboardist tends to never go into "show off mode", instead he, and the rest of his band members are solely interested in making good black metal. For me, not a song starts or sounds the same. The song "Kun Kuoleman Harso Laskeutuu" being one of my favourites, it has a great melodic breakdown on around 3:30 with some nice growls over the top and the riff past 4:44 is fantastic (though I literally could pick plenty of riffs to mention here, not just that one). The intro on "Forgotten Chapter of Time" being great too. Good fucking stuff from this relatively new band.. I hope they keep the CDs coming.