Lista de los grupos Black Metal Deschain Upon the Oaken Throne

“Upon the Oaken Throne” is the first full length production of the American Black Metal band Deschain, which is based in Bloomington, Indiana. The band is an exponent of the new generation of American BM bands, being formed only in 2008. At the moment it is a three piece outfit with drummer Brice Marley also taking upon him the vocals. The band features two guitarists, Mike Lang and Dean Reed, the latter also taking care of the bass work.

Those more acquainted with my preferences in Black Metal are aware that in general I am no great lover of BM from Anglo-saxon countries as in my view too often it is lacking creativity and an own identity, sounding like copies of older European examples. But, I must say, Deschain is a rather pleasant exception as its sound possesses a lot of what it takes for me to make a good band.

To start with, unlike so many of their brethren they have managed to create a really distinctive sound based on sharp an often very much woven out guitar pieces and hoarse, gravely vocals that are however produced deeply embedded in the sound structure rather than putting them in the foreground. The rhythm section of the band, without playing with great complexity is rock solid and provides a rather robust base for their sound. Most of the bands playing is more than medium fast, the long woven structures of guitar play giving the sound and outspokenly melodic character. However hoarse the vocals may be, even they here and there beef up the melodic nature of their music.

The overall soundscape is is usually fast and voluminous, but by no means results in the closed sound wall which so many nowadays apply to hide a lack of talent and creativity. Almost everywhere there is a high level of transparency giving the overall a solidly balanced character. More quiet and slower intermezzo’s are also not lacking from the songs, providing the necessary variation in between the often long and fast guitar parts .

Deschain’s songs are generally of long duration, most of them lasting for over 10 minutes and if one is allowed to consider Epitaphs parts 1 & 2 as a single effort, the album consists of just 5 compositions. But in Deschain’s case long certainly not means boring as there is much variation and interludes in all of the songs. Like said before the music is generally very melodic and applies lots of guitar techniques taken from other genres, some of it giving an almost master-class impression. The sometimes unexpected and weird interludes even give the sound a whiff of psychedelic, rather unusual for BM.


ARTWORK PRODUCTION AND RELEASE

As nowadays is almost a rule with new Black Metal outfits the album is self-produced and self-released by the band. With the overwhelming number of new bands trying to gain a foothold in the music world of today it has become increasingly difficult to find labels interested in yet another outfit in an already overcrowded genre. Still, the production is adequate, although not brilliant and certainly not without flaws. Here and there you get the impression that in the main parts of songs mixing could have been more done better deliminating the various instruments more, avoiding the monotony that creeps in a at few points. But overall, I have heard much worse.

Deschain has a relatively simple but highly symmetrical white logo design in Gothic font of the more readable type and one cannot help noticing that the Logo indicates much of the solidity and balance of the music. I like it as a good example of simplicity among the plethora of overdone logo design of today of which even a cryptologist could hardly make out what it says any more. Unfortunately the sleeve artwork is less good, kind of an unbalanced painting in ill combining red, green and gray, depicting a forest scenery with a huge oaken throne prominently in the middle. Some hard to recognize mythological creatures and skulls enliven the left part of the picture. Apart from unbalance in color the scene is also fuzzy to the irritating, so, if I may give the band an advice: Find another artist for the next album sleeve!

As said the album was self-released by the band in rather small initial numbers, but with the very much improved distribution structure of today, such does not have to be an obstacle any more for bands to get their product known with the public. Besides, the small numbers of the initial release and thus limited availability of physical copies are more than made up for by wide digital availability at high bitrates through various filesharing sites. Although such doesn’t bring in money for the band, it certainly helps a new outfit to get its music known among a wider public.


THE SONGS

The album contains 6 tracks, but the last two ones can be considered as being part of a single composition. The album opens with the 12.20 minute long title composition “Upon the Oaken Throne”, which immediately gives you a good impression of all the various aspects characteristic for the band’s sound. The intro shows that the band is certainly not averse to influences of older rock music. Soon the song goes over in its fast main part with much melodic solo guitar work and the rather backgroundish, but hoarse and harsh vocals. Although the main theme is rather flat and monotonous, the frequent and intelligently done interludes avoid letting you descend in boredom. Not a song to make you marvel because of great innovativeness, but put together with skill and featuring great solo guitar work and rock solid rhythm section.

The just over 10 minutes long follow up makes even more clear that not all BM is necessary in conflict with older musical conventions and for someone who has lived through much of the development of Rock and Metal music there are many familiar elements to be recognized. Tempo of the song is a lot less fast compared with the first one and transparency of the soundstructure is outspokenly high. Even featuring all their hoarseness the vocals, produced in at not to high volume make an almost laid back impression. Altogether making for a creation that could even win appreciation with those who are generally not much into black metal.

Number three, eleven and a halve minute long “Ashes” features even more “classical” elements, its rather lengthy intro reminding a lot of the days of the early hard rock. When developing into its main part the characteristic long and spun out guitar soloing takes a prominent role once more, the vocals even more than usual mostly only seconding the guitar work. Very melodic composition, probably a little flatter than most the others, but enjoyable. Amazing how vocals shouted and gravely can make such a gentle impression! The rather familiar guitar riffs even give the sound kind a little commercial flair.

For once staying just under ten minutes of duration “Black Horses” again offers all the elements we have so far become familiar with, but this time the vocals are more prominent and sharper, more of the shrieked kind with has become so standard for the bulk of contemporary black metal. Solo guitar work is sharp and spun out as ever, interludes are again cleverly done, although less frequent, but I must say that in my opinion this track is the least of the album.

Fortunately Deschain saved the best for the last, the almost epic sounding two parts composition Epitaphs, which counted together take up well over 18 minutes of playing time. Setting in with a near classic intro the song develops into a swirling super-varied, sometimes rather overwhelming experience. Still black metal, yes, but having incorporated much borrowed from other metal genres and heavy rock. Difficult to describe with precision but a clear indication the Deschain’s compository capacities as well as instrumental skill are quite impressive. Worthy closing of a debut pulled of well!


CONCLUSIONS
There are many new bands emerging presently of which you can easily conclude, after hearing their first production, that they will never make it to any great heights. For Deschain the story could very well be different as all the elements for reaching a rather wide audience are there: Thoughtful composition, high melodic content, plentiful variation and quite some recognizable ingredients. It would be great if this debut would get a good label interested in them (And I deem chances for such more than average), as more professional production could add a lot of touch to their rather complex compositions.

Great debut for this young band so they certainly deserve a 17 out of 20 for this album. Keep ‘em coming guys, looking forward with interest to the follow up!