Maximum Metal Rating Legend

The Ruins Of Beverast Rain Upon The Impure Company: Ancient Dreams Release: 2008 Genre: Black Reviewer: Grim Gaijin

One of the best Black Metal albums in the past couple of years

The "one-man band" has become synonymous with Black Metal. Many of the great Black Metal bands of our times are comprised of a sole isolationist expressing their un-shareable views to the human population. Although some are not technically inclined (since they play all the instruments), there are many that are worthy of doing everything themselves. One such Black Metal band that fits into the latter category is Germany's The Ruins Of Beverast. Out of the ashes of Nagelfar, drummer Alexander von Meilenwald continued his darkened vision with 2008's Rain Upon The Impure. One of the advantages that Alexander von Meilenwald holds over other one-man projects is that he is a drummer first - which is consequently one of the major weaknesses of a lot of one-man projects.

Rain Upon The Impure is a mammoth of an album with just 7 songs equaling almost 80 minutes of misanthropic mayhem. Five of the seven songs are at least 13 minutes long with Soil of the Incestuous clocking in at nearly 16 1/2 minutes. As for the music, it is everything a black metal fan desires: low-fi production, guitar harmonies, blast beats galore, sick vokills, creepy ambient textures, and even a little bit of blackened doom. Interestingly enough, there are no boring parts to this album, as everything sort of blends together majestically and the musical explorations remain interesting for the entire 80 minutes. Although every song on this album demands multiple listens, it is Blood Vaults (I=Thy Virginal Malodour) that steals the show. Starting off with a doom vibe and eerie guitar tones, it quickly abandons the slow tempo and rages on with blast beats and brutal riffs. Adding quire-like vocals in the background to the melodic parts shows the unending creativity of Alexander von Meilenwald.

Rain Upon The Impure by The Ruins Of Beverast is probably one of the best Black Metal albums to be released within the past couple of years. It could easily stand up to the likes of Deathspell Omega, Leviathan, and Xasthur. Pick this album up now, as you will not be disappointed!