Search - Dissection :: Somberlain

Beauty Shines On The Somberlain

Bill Lumbergh | Initech | 10/17/2006

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I'm not the biggest black metal fan you'll ever meet. I enjoy my share of bands, but there was one band that is an essential for either the black metal fan or the melodic death metal fan. That's right, they were Dissection.



I am glad that an essential album like this is rereleased and is receive better distribution. The album is just amazing beyond belief. The late Jon Nodtveidt was one of the greatest guitarists out in the black metal scene. Ole Ohman is a double bass machine! And with the dark feel of a black metal album embedded in their melodic talents, no wonder this album is such a legendary work of art.



But wait! There's more! This reissue comes with a bonus disc as well! The first two tracks are a live recording recorded in 1995 but not released until a decade later. Next, we have the band's "Into Infinite Obscurity" 7" covering tracks 3 to 5. Tracks 6 to 9 are the 1992 demo, and track 10 is "The Grief Prophecy Demo" recorded in 1990. Tracks 3 to 10 are remastered. The final 3 tracks are closing rehearsal tracks from 1990-1991, all remastered as well. And no, they're NOT re-recorded. There's a difference between that and remastering.



If you're new to this band, or just love Dissection, pick this up. It's inexpensive and you get a lot out of this reissue. Also, check out the "Storm of the Light's Bane" reissue as well."

Beginning of the evil

J. Tozier | Chapel Hill, NC | 04/21/2005

(3 out of 5 stars)

"I had purchased SOTLB first, and then I had heard the Somberlain in a friend's car one night. I am a HUGE fan of SOTLB, but in all honesty I really think this album best personifies the sound that Dissection was going for. The mental image that appears to me when listening to SOTLB is Jon and his band mates playing on a mountain top in a frozen land, dark empty forests below, chanting their evil song. Chilling. When I hear the Somberlain, it sounds to me like they're in some ancient castle preaching to a gathering of dark priests. I feel exactly like that when I hear the acoustic songs, "Into Infinate Obscurity", and "Feathers Fell". A song like "Heaven's Damnation" just sends chills up my spine. Now that I've spoken of the emotion that the Somberlain evokes, let's talk production. It's sound very garage-like. Primitive might be too strong a description.... I would use that word to describe Darkthrone, but I think that was the sound Fenriz was going for. In many ways, this album remains in the top ranks of best black metal album, but, and I have to say this, it is still 2nd to SOTLB. But honestly, this is only my opinion. Listen to it for yourself and then decide. It will not dissapoint."

Love Dissection!

Lorraine Nunez Colon | San Juan, PR | 11/23/2008

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I can't find anything bad in Dissection music. This bring a second CD with live performances of Dissection, which I love it! Excelent Black Metal sound!"