(Black Metal) [CD] Unlight - The Katalyst of the Katharsis - 2014, FLAC (image+.cue), lossless

Being the occasional consumer of high fantasy lore, I've often taken note of the peculiar nuances between the alignment of various characters within the genre. Though perhaps a less than academic lens to view things, these attributes do tend to translate into the world of metal, often as a way of differentiating various bands within a similar style. Dealing specifically with black metal, there is an odd duality of chaos and order to be found, often times dividing the overall scene into several distinct subgroups that can be described as either diabolical or anarchistic. Granted, a little of both is necessary to make for a credible sound, but there are definitely bands that swing heavily in one of the two paths, with a larger degree of diabolic, or lawful evil bands gaining a heavier level of visibility.
Arguably the most methodical and structured scene to come out of the early days of the style were the Swedish melodic death/black outfits typified in Dissection, Unanimated and several others, and their seminal works have received an update of sorts in the German born Unlight, which have recently offered up their sixth opus in The Katalyst Of The Katharsis. In similar fashion, the approach here is marked by a clear balance of aggression and structure, tempered even further by a polished, punchy production job that pulsates with a comparable power to that of recent Troll and Old Man's Child, though minus the heavy keyboard usage.
Though this band has maintained a fairly consistent sound since their debut about 11 years back, this album comes off as a bit more restrained and gradual in its execution than its most recent predecessors in Death Consecrates With Blood and Sulphurblooded. Rather than going immediately for the jugular with either a death metal infused blasting assault with all guns blazing or a blur of fancy lead guitar work, things kick off with a shimmering wave of darkness not all the dissimilar to how Emperor's In The Nightside Eclipse kicked off with “Into The Infinity Of Thoughts”. Though not quite the long-winded epic that the previously mentioned episode of diabolic genius was, “Six Dark Suns” takes a fair amount of notes from the older Norwegian sound, in direct contrast to the Lord Belial-like demeanor of the previous 2 albums.
As things unfold, there's a bit more tendency towards the more death metal influenced early 90s Swedish sound, but still in a less overt fashion. The slow coasting “Strix Infaustus” almost ventures into Viking territory with a sorrowful melody and an easy going groove reminiscent of a dragon boat adrift in the high seas. “Antipole Divinity” takes a rather peculiar left-turn into early 80s NWOBHM for a spell at it's onset, complete with a blues/rock sounding lead line, before launching into a blistering array of thrash riffs and garbled wails. Otherwise, the approach is fairly consistent, barring differences in tempo, and a consistently heavy and dark array of disciplined blackness rules the roost.
Perhaps the greatest flaw for a band like Unlight is that in spite of not being slouches in the aggression department and showing a bit more technical flair than their rawer tinged competition, they are just a tad bit too safe for the underground cult. This is the sort of black metal that wouldn't be out of place opening for the likes of Dimmu Borgir or Behemoth, which is hardly a liability if the goal is a broad appeal, though it can earn even the most diligent artists a number of fashionable non-conformist detractors. Personally, this structured and accessible approach to evil works well for me, as does the upgrade in musicianship and songwriting that goes with it. If bands like Thulcandra are what you crave, this album will tide you over until they get around to releasing their third album.
Originally submitted to (The Metal Observer) on April 25, 2014.

Blaspherion Guitars, Vocals (1997-present)
See also: ex-The Foreshadowing
Lord Grond Drums (1998-present)
See also: Bitterness, Stormhunter, ex-Steel Tormentor, The Foreshadowing
Raptus Guitars (2009-present)
Nefastus Bass (2012-present)
See also: Circle of Ruins