MYSTIC CIRCLE: Mystic Circle (BLACK METAL): review / opinion to read on Music Waves

For 30 years, Mystic Circle has experienced many ups and downs with three separations, line-up changes and style evolutions. All this has damaged the reputation of a band often mocked for its black metal side too bombastic. With their last album, "The Bloody Path Of God", they lost themselves in a mediocre death black and seemed to have given up for good.

But the beast is tough and is back fifteen years later with an eighth album that simply bears his name, headed by the duo formed by Graf Von Beelzebub, singer and bass player, and Aaarrrgon back on drums more than twenty years after his departure. Signed to Atomic Fire, the band has the heavy task of convincing the relevance of this return. Considering the cover in a satanist spirit and the old logo found, it seems obvious that the duo returns to the melodic black of the time of "Infernal Satanic Verses".

Mystic Circle plunges the listener into the black metal that wreaked havoc everywhere in the late 90s. Unhealthy melodies carried by deep vocals from the underworld bring an occult charm, which is complemented by fast and melodic solos, furious rhythms and effective screaming vocals. To the black metal base of 'Letters From The Devil' are added riffs and solos from the heavy 80's - as if Iron Maiden had gone black metal - making an effective marriage between power and melody. The duet formed by 'Hell Demons Rising' and 'Darkness In Flames', full of epic and symphonic emphasis, shows an intense savagery despite some melancholic passages. Finally, we will salute the very respectful cover of Possessed's classic 'Death Metal', a jewel that has lost nothing of its strength more than 35 years after its creation.

Mystic Circle signs a nice return to business and finds with brightness its ardour on this new record. It will delight the amateurs of a wild black metal but knowing how to be melodic and deliciously catchy. - Official website

MYSTIC CIRCLE

MYSTIC CIRCLE

AUTRE LABEL

BLACK METAL