1349: The Infernal Pathway (2019)

1349 is a throwback to the time when black metal was truly extreme and chaotic.  The band is essentially frozen in time in the early 1990's, still dressing in spikes and chains and Satanic images and still wearing corpse paint in concert and in pictures.  The music too is much more similar to the sound of Norwegian second-wave black metal. 

This is the band's seventh album and, for the most part, they have never messed with the formula that has gotten them here.  I say "for the most part" because there was Revelations of the Black Flame when they took the rare step to try to go for a more atmospheric sound.  That was roundly criticized and they went back a year later.  A 1349 album is supposed to be utterly chaotic.  Luckily, this one is.

This is true, evil black metal with lightning fast riffs and blasting drums.  The legendary Frost beats the skins for 1349 and he is absolutely peerless.  His fills, blasts and time-keeping are simply incredible, and have been for as long as he has been going.  Elsewhere, the vocals are delivered in a typical blackened shriek.  1349 utterly annihilates anything in their path, only occasionally stopping for a few short, lighter interludes, but those quickly lead into more pummeling brutality.

Most of the time, one knows what to expect from 1349.  And yet, each time, the album is well worth it.  The band has long ago learned not to mess with the formula.  The result is yet another terrific throwback to when black metal was truly dangerous.

1349: Massive Cauldron of Chaos (2014)

The year 1349 saw the emergence of the Black Death in Norway.  It was of course a devastating disease wiping out a huge percentage of the population.  And it is a fitting name for a black metal band that specializes in devastating riffs and destructive drumming. 

1349, the band, is a call-back to the days when black metal in Norway was dangerous and chaotic.  Very few of the Norwegian bands continued to sound like this.  Darkthrone and Satyricon both went in more of a heavy metal direction, Mayhem went completely bonkers, and Emperor broke up.  1349 came late to the game, but kept the spirit of early 90's Norwegian black metal alive.  The band softened their sound and went in more of an experimental, atmospheric direction on 2009's Revelations of the Black Flame, but that was a critical flop and the band returned to its wicked ways on the next album.

This album features the tried-and-true 1349 formula.  Manic drumming, shrieking vocals, faster than hell riffs, and pure fucking chaos.  The drumming in particular deserves mention.  Behind the kit is the legendary Frost who has spent time in several noteworthy Norwegian black metal bands, including Satyricon, Gorgoroth, Gehenna and Keep of Kalessin.  His abilities are matched by few others in the genre and he is at the top of his game here.  And vocalist Ravn delivers his finest performance yet.

Where this album really succeeds is in the songwriting department.  Where several previous 1349 albums featured a number of great ideas, but struggled to keep things together on an entire album, this album feels like a cohesive whole.  There is not a single weak track on this album. 

I may have to revisit my prior 1349 albums, but I can honestly say that I think this one tops them all.  This is one of the greatest Norwegian black metal albums in years.  It absolutely captures all of the feeling of rage and intensity that the early 90's albums had.  1349 has truly come into their own on this album.  Unfortunately, they have yet to release a follow-up in the five years since this album.  They did release a two-song EP this year, so hopefully we have not heard the last from 1349.

Initial Impressions: 1349: Demonoir

1349 is a throwback to a much more malevolent and hostile black metal sound. They still wear corpsepaint, they still do not smile, they still beat their listeners into submission with extremely powerful and fast riffs and thundering blastbeats. They are evil and frightening and relentless.

The last time out, they delved into their experimental side. A decision which lead many listeners away from them. The time for experimentation is over, it's back to the basics here.

Not all of the aggression and speed is back, but this is certainly better than the meandering mess the band released last time out. The tremolo picked riffs and thunderous drums have made their return, as has the overall chaotic feel to the album. This album feels like the end of the world. Just slightly less so than their earlier material.

If you want a blasting, hyperactive black metal album, this one is definitely for you. I prefer their earlier stuff myself, but this album comes close to it, much better than last year's album.