Originally released in 2004 on the Regain label, “The Seal of Belial” is the fifth release from this Swedish black/death metal act. Unlike say BLACK DAHLIA MURDER, these guys do not seem as split into two halves of death and black metal. I hear quite a bit of black metal but not quite as much death metal. Unlike BDM the differences are more musical, rather than vocal. Most of these tunes are quite melodic and are mid-paced with galloping double bass drums that are almost as tedious as they are obligatory. They hardly help the dynamics of tunes such as “Sons of Belial” and “Chariot of Fire” but they nonetheless help define the black metal sound.

“Abysmal Hate” has the death metal/grind vibe of say NAPALM DEATH or BRUTAL TRUTH and ends with a sweet bridge I’ll have to say. This unit definitely has an element of quality songwriting to offer the metal world. Each song has a different feel in spite of the aforementioned drums and rangeless vocals. “Legio Infen” has the layered orchestration similar to CRADLE OF FILTH. “Mark of the Beast” kind of ups the ante. “Armageddon Revelation” is the other tune with more than a couple hints of death metal although the black prevails for the most part. Black metal can be an acquired taste, but there are definitely bands out there that make it a little easier to swallow such as LORD BELIAL. The fact that this is the first or their five albums in their thirteen-year career that is now available domestically definitely helps. This band is like the polar opposite to the over-the-top brutal noisy fun of say South Florida’s own KULT OV AZAZELl, but it is another side to this type of metal. The fact that they are this melodic without having to resort to the utilization of cheesy keyboards is also an added plus.

- Herring

OFFICIAL SITE: www.lordbelial.com

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