Triumphator
Wings of Antichrist

A few reviews ago, I spoke of the "amusing puppets of black metal," trying (in vain) to convince how the ritualistic and elitist nature of this scene often represents a limitation for itself. As proof of this reasoning, I now propose the review of a fine LP by the Swedish group Triumphator.

The album bears the fitting name "Wings Of Antichrist" which, along with the battle-like name of the band, unmistakably hints at the musical temperament manifested: pure assault black metal, hyper-violent and blasphemous. In its genre, all the characteristics, customs, and clichés are impeccably fulfilled, and despite the evident limitations mentioned, the work as a whole turns out to be successful and decidedly appreciable.

The voice (Mortuus, future leader of the much more famous Marduk...) is a feral, muddled roar that renders the lyrics incomprehensible: and perhaps this is not a bad thing, given that titles like "Infernal Divinity" and "Heralds Of Pestilence" are meant to create a strong impact and certainly not for some intrinsic poetry in the verses. The guitars are distorted and sharp, yet, as in the purest swedish black tradition, a certain melody and logical sense are present, even if buried under exasperated volumes and rhythms which "machine-gunning" is an understatement.

A definite positive note goes to the production work, certainly above average: the instruments, maximally amplified, are not annoying (at least for those who appreciate this genre), the mixing is well done and effectively translates the band's performance. The latter is not exactly a group in the strictest sense, as only two were permanent members while bass, second guitars, and others were the work of session musicians; all of this is supported by a sufficiently cohesive technical performance.

This LP, of little success compared to others of the period (1999, see "Panzer Division Marduk", which, although very similar, replaced satanic/ritual imagery with even more garish war themes), was reissued with added bonus tracks; the live recording is negligible (borderline listenable), while the previously unreleased song, taken from an EP that has since been lost, features more mature and personal songwriting: "From Under To Below" is composed of less frenzied rhythms and very successful hypnotic riffs. If the band had continued on this path, there probably would have been interesting works.

Triumphator would last for the space of "Wings Of Antichrist" or little more, and they remain a good example of a group for genre enthusiasts. Regarding the opinion expressed at the beginning, it's evident that the band has created the best that the (sub)genre has to offer but neither can nor wants to break any mold. A band trapped in the usual cage of true black, a cage, however, in which they felt at ease.