Maximum Metal Rating Legend
5 Excellent - Masterpiece. A classic.
4.5-4 Great - Almost perfect records but there's probably a lacking.
3.5 Good - Most of the record is good, but there may be some filler.
3 Average - Some good songs, some bad ones at about a half/half ratio.
2.5-2 Fair - Worth a listen, but best obtained by collectors.
1.5-1 Bad - Major problems with music, lyrics, production, etc.
0 Terrible - Waste of your life and time.

Note: Reviews are graded from 0-5, anything higher or not showing is from our old style. Scores, however, do not reveal the important features. The written review that accompanies the ratings is the best source of information regarding the music on our site. Reviewing is opinionated, not a qualitative science, so scores are personal to the reviewer and could reflect anything from being technically brilliant to gloriously cheesy fun.

Demos and independent releases get some slack since the bands are often spent broke supporting themselves and trying to improve. Major releases usually have big financial backing, so they may be judged by a heavier hand. All scores can be eventually adjusted up or down by comparison of subsequent releases by the same band. We attempt to keep biases out of reviews and be advocates of the consumer without the undo influence of any band, label, management, promoter, etc.

The best way to determine how much you may like certain music is to listen to it yourself.
Band
Darkenhold
Title
Memoria Sylvarum
Type
LP/EP
Company
Independent
YOR
2017
Style
Black
11/8/2017 - Review by: Greg Watson
Very accessible release to those who find black metal a little too harsh
I love coming across bands that I've never heard of. Some of them are middle of the road and others are incredibly amazing and make me wonder how I missed hearing about said band. Darkenhold is of the latter variety. Upon listening to 'Memoria Sylvarum', the band's fourth album, I was immediately impressed and blown away. Their sound has its roots firmly entrenched in black metal but they melody and catchiness they apply really lends an ability to make this a very accessible release to those who find black metal a little too harsh for their palate. The lyrics are all in French so Google Translate is a must if you want to know what they're saying, unless you're fluent in French of course and then you're all set. I am incredibly impressed also with the quality of the vocals on the album, the rasp that it used along with the cadence is second to none. You can tell this band has a love of the classic black metal greats but want to carve their own niche in the genre. This album is really interesting too in that it could fit into the height of the 90's era black metal with some of the more avant garde bands but also seamlessly fits in with the resurgence of black metal that we've seen over the last few years. While this isn't progressive black metal, it's definitely forward-thinking given that the catchiness employed isn't something you typically find in the genre as well as the melody utilized by the guitars throughout the album. Overally, I am just totally enamored by Darkenhold and what they've created on 'Memoria Sylvarum'. This is one you definitely want to check out if you're a black metal fan and even if you aren't, you should give this one a shot, you might like it.
  • 1 :REVIEW COUNT
    5 :AVE RATING

ALL REVIEWS FOR: DARKENHOLD
TITLE
DOR
COMPANY
REVIEWER DATE MADE RATING
Memoria Sylvarum
2017
Independent
Greg Watson11/8/2017
5

ALL INTERVIEWS FOR: DARKENHOLD
INTERVIEW INTERVIEWER DATE TAGLINE


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