Svartsyn - The True Legend (Agonia Records)

Svartsyn are one of those cult black metal bands that you have probably heard of, but haven't actually heard, mainly because of the smaller record labels they have been signed to in the past, and hence, lack of proper distribution.  Hopefully this will change now that the band has signed to Agonia Records. 

The True Legend was first released back in 1998, on obscure German label Folter, but is now being re-released, after being partly re-recorded and remastered, along with a brand new layout and new cover artwork. There is no doubt that black metal fans will appreciate this release, especially as it has been out of print for quite some time. 

Its hard to describe the sound of Svartsyn, and while it would be easy to simply categorise the band as black metal, that would probably be doing a grave disservice to them.  If we were going to gun for comparisons, we would probably be looking at earlier Rotting Christ, though mostly because of the vocals of Ornias, who also handles guitars and bass. 

The album itself is mainly meat and potatoes black metal, though there are odd keyboard heavy moments, such as in Snakes In The Garden Of Eden. Draugen's (ex- Dark Funeral) drumming might also be simple - he's certainly no Frost, if we are to be honest - but it's no less effective for that.  At times the ablum can become a bit tiring and repetitive, but the re-release of The True Legend is certainly superior to Enthroned's latest, also reviewed this month, and out on Agonia.  And that in itself says a lot, especially considering that ...Legend is fourteen years old.