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
Schammasch
Title
Triangle
Type
LP/EP
Company
Prosthetic
YOR
2016
Style
Black
6/1/2016 - Review by: David Loveless
Schammasch
Triangle




Company: Prosthetic
Release: 2016
Genre: Black
Reviewer: David Loveless

  • 100+ minute epic journey



  • A couple of weeks ago, one of my metal comrades and I were having a nice discussion of this New Age Black Metal movement that have produced many great bands lately. Bands such as Dark Fortress, Deathspell Omega, Blut Aus Nord, Aluk Todolo, Watain, & Emperor quickly came up in this discussion. However, we both agreed that one of the bands that has adopted this "intelligent black metal" sound and are taking it to staggering new heights is Schammasch. Hailing from Basel-Stadt Switzerland, they have just released their mammoth new album, Triangle. Interestingly, their first album – Sic Lvceat Lvx – was a single disk album, their sophomore release – Contradiction – was a double disk album, so it's fitting to say that Triangle is a triple album release! I wonder if their next album will contain 4 disks!?

    Anyway, before I get ahead of myself, Triangle is probably one of the best New Age Black Metal albums I've ever heard! First of all, there is never a dull moment during this 100+ minute epic journey. Of course there are plenty of brutal black metal moments, but there are also some great prog moments (check out the mesmerizing Above The Stars Of God), amazing guitar solos, clean vocals, chanting, acoustic passages, and the 3rd disk is nearly all instrumental (less the final song, The Empyrean). Although this album is spectacular from start to finish, Satori, Metanoia, Above The Stars Of God, and Conclusion (all from Disk #2) are my favorite moments from Triangle.

    One thing that separates New Age Black Metal from your traditional Black Metal is the awesome production. Of course I still love old school Black Metal with the gritty (and sometimes unbearable) production, but when you have bands as talented as Schammasch, and all of the other bands previously mentioned in this review, that kind of production could never do these bands justice. Triangle is no exception, as each instrument is crystal clear and nothing is buried in the mix.

    Schammasch may not be a big name in metal yet but they should be. They deserve to have their names right up there with other Black Metal giants such as Emperor & Behemoth. If you're a true fan of underground Black Metal, chances are you already know and love Schammasch. If this is your first time hearing of them, then do yourself a favor and check these guys out. They create multiple layers of metal to suit your appetite for creative and challenging music. I would be shocked if Triangle doesn't make it on a lot of "Best Metal Album of 2016" lists this year. It will definitely be on mine!



    • 1 :REVIEW COUNT
      5 :AVE RATING

    ALL REVIEWS FOR: SCHAMMASCH
    TITLE
    DOR
    COMPANY
    REVIEWER DATE MADE RATING
    Contradiction
    2014
    Prosthetic
    Nate Turpin10/9/2014
    3.5
    The Maldoror Chants: Hermaphrodite
    2017
    Prosthetic
    David Loveless6/22/2017
    5
    Triangle
    2016
    Prosthetic
    David Loveless6/1/2016
    5

    ALL INTERVIEWS FOR: SCHAMMASCH
    INTERVIEW INTERVIEWER DATE TAGLINE


    << back >>