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
Vanquished
Title
Black Northern Storm
Type
LP/EP
Company
Krankenhaus Records
YOR
2005
Style
Black
2/18/2006 - Review by: Veritas
Vanquished - Black Northern Storm - 2005 - Krankenhaus Records

Track Listing
1. Ravaging the Shores
2. Immemorial
3. Weaving Time in Vain
4. Ruins of Religious Tradition
5. Black Northern Storm
6. Left Behind
7. The Abyssal Plain
8. Ascendancy of the Boreal Wake
9. Untitled Bonus
Vanquished presume themselves superior to other Canadian black metal due to the fact that they come from “The great white north of North Ontario Bay” and not from inferior locations such as Windsor or Toronto. This attitude is sort of foolish, despite the fact that is was with the same superior attitude that the black metal bands of old took Norway, and then the world, by storm. Unfortunately for Vanquished, those days are long past, and now if a black metal band wants to succeed they must not only avoid sounding like Immortal clones but also tone down the dramatic act a bit. Vanquished fail at both.

“Black Northern Storm” is not really a terrible album; it’s just not a good album either. With nine tracks of almost identical-sounding one-riff black metal, guitarists/vocalists Dertah and Grimnyr show a decent amount of talent but little to no creativity. Likewise, drummer Warhammer is extremely fast, but doesn’t do much more than create noise. None of the tracks are unpleasant to listen to, but why settle for second-best? Immortal, Darkthrone, or any of the classic old-school acts have done exactly what Vanquished are doing, and they did it better. I would recommend passing on the album not because Vanquished have done something wrong but because they haven’t done anything right.

--4/10

--Veritas 02.18.06

  • 1 :REVIEW COUNT
    N/A :AVE RATING

ALL REVIEWS FOR: VANQUISHED
TITLE
DOR
COMPANY
REVIEWER DATE MADE RATING
Black Northern Storm
2005
Krankenhaus Records
Veritas2/18/2006
-

ALL INTERVIEWS FOR: VANQUISHED
INTERVIEW INTERVIEWER DATE TAGLINE


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