Sakrefix, In Shadow's Embrace
Following up on their 2006 debut Dark Spells Cast Under the Eclipsing Moon, Sakrefix unleash a malevolent blend of unrelenting blasts and galloping beats in the form of their first proper studio recording In Shadow’s Embrace. Don’t let the malicious nature fool you though. Veiled behind the dark embrace of this album is an underlying melody that lends a feeling of grandiose and depth.
The combined blows that guitarists Vlad and Hadrian deliver range from sweeping leads, melodic hooks and galloping riffage. The duo deliver lethal and driving guitars with dark motives. Drummer Nagrath lets loose on several occasions with bone crushing blasts and unrelenting beatings upon his kit. On top of all this are the vocals — a trading off between Mortryne’s higher end screams and Hadrian’s guttural growls. The result is one hell of an impressive album.
Callous
The opening bit of light guitar work and heavy drums is quickly ingested by the gaping maw of a hellish beast. Higher picthed screams explode from the speakers with pummeling drums for the first minute. Around the start of the second minute comes a slow down of the pace and a nice groove of churning riffs and controlled drum work. The layered vocals at the 1:36 mark are evil as all get out. There’s a soulful and melancholy lead at the 2:26 mark that adds great variety to the track.
Desecrator of Light
“Desecrator of Light” comes in smoothly from the end of the album opener with layered vocals and memorable riffs. The drumming is steady and measured with plenty of head banging groove to the rhythm. Even when the band erupts with their first explosion of activity at the :43 mark, there’s plenty of control and focus in their attack. I’m loving the layered vocals used throughout this one.
On Demon Wings
This could very well be my favorite song on the album. From the opening evil guitar work to the manic blasts, “On Demon Wings” is the complete black metal package. Lots of groove and raw energy drive this one like a stake through the heart of the undead. The guitars at the two minute mark are catchy as hell.
Bloodstains
Acoustic guitar starts off this next song as sweeping riffs and steady drums come in smoothly. The following guitar work is rich and melancholy as the vocals come in just before the end of the first minute. The track’s pace is a bit slower which works well to convey it’s overall feeling of despair and desolation.
When Twilight Dies
“When Twilight Dies” opens up with driving drums and evil riffs for the first minute before slowing down to acoustic guitars and light drum work. The slower pace to this one also helps set up the brief explosions of activity that creeps in every now and again. Again, the layered vocals work real well on this song creating a rich, deep sound. The guitars after the three minute mark are pretty kick ass as is the chaotic explosion of frenetic activity that follows.
Metamorphosis
Heavy drums accompany memorable riffs before the group settles into a mid gallop along with the vocals. The layered attack just before the one minute mark is slick and tinged with evil. The eruption of driving drums and riffs at the two minute mark are not to be missed. The “spoken” black metal delivery along with the light guitar work is a little strange and definitely leaves a creepy tingle up your spine.
Warriors Until Death
I love the opening, evil riffs to “Warrior Until Death.” They are both dark and quite catchy as the vocals come in with blasting drums and speedy rhythms. This one is peppered with the riddled corpses of past listeners as Sakrefix shift from driving blasts to melancholy grooves with the deftness of an ax murder’s backswing. I certainly want more of it.
Unearthly Passage
Easily the heaviest opening to any of the songs on this album, “Unearthly Passage” starts off with heavy, brutal drums and riffs before shifting to a memorable bit of guitar for a few brief seconds before succumbing to the beastial drums once again — all in the first minute of the track. I’m really digging the hell out of this song and it’s groove, layered vocals and guitar work. The chugging guitars at the 2:30 mark are heavy as hell.
Wrath of Flames
Epic guitars begin the final track of the album with measured drum work for the first 20 or so seconds before a killer hook introduces unrelenting beats of the hounds of hell and the screamed vocals. Another frantic blast hits hard at the one minute mark with layered vocals and evil guitars. The solo at the three minute mark is epic and soulful. What a track to end an album on… damn, that rocked.
~ ~ ~
In Shadow’s Embrace is a prime example of a calculated black metal attack. Mixing raw, unrelenting blasts with melodic elements, Sakrefix have proven that you don’t need to be brutally raw and dark to scare the sweet bejeebus out of your listeners. The band’s blend of or fury and song structure prove to be a winning formula for their latest album.
Favorite Tracks:
All of them
Additional Notes:
N/A