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Sonic Reign is a German black metal duo that was created way back in 1997 but
then known as Megiddo. Their debut demo consisted of highly melodic black
metal including keyboards but by 2000 they were fed up with the melodic style
and wanted to create darker, more intense and modern black metal, thus also
renaming their project to Sonic Reign. In 2006 they first released "Raw Dark
Pure" on their own label Sovereignty Productions but now that they have been
picked up by Metal Blade Records it is also being re-released by their
new-found label home. The duo of Benjamin Borucki (guitars, vocals) and
Sebastian Schneider (drums) have managed to combine the cold, raw feeling of
early 90s Norwegian black metal á la Mayhem and Emperor with the catchy hooks
of latter day Satyricon in a very fine manner, adding a few technical touches
and occasional avantgarde experimentalism.
While there are certain similarities to Thorns as well I must say that Satyricon is usually the most valid reference point when dealing with the music of Sonic Reign. While the band members themselves don't want to reduce themselves to any specific influences it is obvious that parts of "The Martyr Urge" for example could have been lifted straight off Satyricon's "Rebel Extravaganza" album. Their influences are usually not as extremely transparent as that particular example may have you believe which is fortunate for both them and the listener. This is the first black metal release in a long time that sounds fresh and exciting and still maintains that magical old school vibe. Raw, intense and harsh. Few releases have brought a positive surprise this year so far but Sonic Reign is definitely a breath of fresh air into a stalemate scene.
| Tracklist |
| 1. Deceit Doctrine |
| 2. F***** Up But Glorious |
| 3. Reminiscence Of Imperial Wrath |
| 4. The Martyr Urge |
| 5. Salt |
| 6. Tyrant Blessed |
| 7. To Rebel And To Fail |
| 8. Raw Dark Pure |
: 40.32
| Buy other Sonic Reign albums |
