Overall
Carach Angren
Franckensteina Strataemontanus
Season of Mist Records
Symphonic Black Metal
FFO: Anorexia Nervosa, Evil Lucifera, Ceremonial Castings
Intensity has run behind almost everything that Carach Angren have done and because of the this, the Dutch symphonic black metallers have created a sound of horror and suspense mixed through dark subject matter such as domestic violence, drug abuse and murder. Despite their rather grisly nature, Carach Angren have gathered a cult following and 2020 seems like the most appropriate time for the band to return with their sixth studio album ‘Franckensteina Strataemontanus’.
As the name would suggest ‘Franckensteina…’ takes a look into the life of Johann Conrad Dippel, the late 17th, early 18th century theologian, occultist and the man whose life would later inspire Mary Shelley to pen her novel ‘Frankenstein’. Carach Angren take the truth, myths and legends around the life of Dippel and give it the true Carach Angren treatment. This does mean that musically, it is still very similar to what the listener would expect from the Dutch band; but once again, the arrangements for those orchestral instruments are top notch, making this an extremely interesting and listenable album. Furthermore, when this is combined with an excellent production that allows these orchestrations to fully attack the senses, pushed onwards by the black metal blast beats and growls, it might just make ‘Franckensteina…’ the best album that Carach Angren have ever released particularly during tracks like the soul-searching ‘Sewn for Solitude’, the creeping ‘Monster’ and the thunderous ego assault that is the title track with only ‘Operation Compass’ being out of place like a sore thumb.
What sets ‘Franckensteina…’ ahead of its competition is just how little ‘fat’ there is on this album; Carach Angren have created a lean and concise album that gets straight to point. Horror fans are bound to lap it up and if you are looking for an interesting read at night, look up Johann Conrad Dippel, it will not disappoint.
8/10
Adam McCann
