BLACK FUNERAL „“Az-i-Dahak””

Music: Ambient Black Metal
Country: USA
Website: www.blackfuneral.org
Cool Songs: Druj Nasu, Astovihad, The Fallen Arise

BLACK FUNERAL is a name synonymous with the USBM movement. The group released its first demo in 1994, before the modern wave of black metal invaded American shores. Two years later, Michael Ford and cast released “Vampyre: Throne of the Beast” via Full Moon productions, an important label for the early USBM scene. The said album was a primitive, black metal classic, recalling the likes of BURZUM, DARKTHRONE, and early MAYHEM. Soon the group would travel in an ambient direction, focusing on black ritualistic noise with the album “Moon of Characith.”

BLACK FUNERAL’s 2004 release “Az-i-Dahak” is a mixture of grim black metal and dark ambience. “Az-i-Dahak” is a concept album pertaining to worship of Ahriman, the pre-Christian equivalent to Lucifer that introduced the world to dualism—the foundation for Christian thought. In ancient Persian mythology, Az-i-Dahak is the name of a king who was said to have made a pact with Ahriman. He was dethroned and imprisoned in a mountain in Iran, seeking to awake as an Anti-Christ, who will bring industry, steel, iron, and machinery to the apocalypse.

The primal ideas of this story are brought to life through low-fi production values and electronic, tribal drumming, while swirling noises construct phantasmagoria sound scapes. The electronic storm created by the guitars and industrial noises point to Az-i-Dahak’s vow of bringing industry to the apocalypse. The thin, drum machine percussion combined with a massive wall of guitar noise, surrounded by creepy keys and throaty, goblin vocals give a nod to former fellow Full Moon Productions artist, MYSTICUM.

Places throughout the album, like the entire “The Fallen Arise” track, consist of pure, ritualistic noise that repeats to induce a hypnotic state upon the listener. “The Fallen Arise” features a vortex background accompanied by warped, hymnal keyboards. This track sounds as if Michael Ford has awakened an ancient, sleeping entity of pure evil.

Bands before BLACK FUNERAL have attempted a ritual album. Most of these bands make unlistenable albums due to too much noise and not enough music. With Az-i-Dahak, BLACK FUNERAL has used just the right amount of music and noise to create a frightening, dark ceremonial album. “Azi-i-Dahak” is the perfect album to play on a PA in a haunted house this October 31.

note: 7.5/10

Tracklist

1. Druj Nasu
2. Daevodata
3. Az-i-Dahak (Awake)
4. Dahak (Serpent Arise)
5. Eye Of Arashk
6. Kiss Of Serpents
7. Sutekh (Chaos)
8. Astovihad
9. The Fallen Arise
Total playing time 33:47

Line-up

Baron Drakkonian Abaddon (Michael Ford Nachttoter) – vocals, bass, guitars, keyboards
Dana Dark – howling and Lilithian Chants
Lux Ferro – howling and Lilithian Chants
Sheikh Abd'ajjal – Guitar, Bass, and Programming. –