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Rating:
8.0 |
Tal'Set - La via del guerriero
April 2012
01. Il vecchio alla stazione
02. La via del guerriero
03. Intento
04. Mescal
05. Punto d'unione
06. Gli Atlantidi di Tula
07. Follia controllata
08. Fermare il Mondo
09. Fuoco dal profondo
10. Al di là dell'aquila
11. L'ultima danza
Excuse me for a moment while I completely lift a description from the band's label, ATMF: "Tal'Set's music embodies the spiritual and magical knowledge handed on through the teachings of ancient Mesoamerican shamans. Tal'Set's debut album is inspired by the enlightening books of Carlos Castaneda, who walked the path to total freedom suggested by the Toltec Legacy. In opposition to modern man's values, Tal'Set's approach is centered on the personal development of the individual, who can aim at higher levels of transcendence only by impeccably battling his fears and destroying the bonds with mediocrity."
Call me jaded, but that just sounds fucking pretentious guys.
Looks are deceiving though. Just watch this* if you don't believe me. And thankfully the music on this release keeps you interested well beyond the "pretentious" factor. Come to think of it, it's actually rather easy to ignore that whole back story and focus solely on the music.
Essentially La via del guerriero is a mix of various extreme metal styles (black and death being the most obvious) and ethereal ambient "shamanic crescendos". Tal'Set have quite an incredible range, bouncing back and forth between Behemoth and Nile while their more melodic moments hint at some Aeternam worship - not that these Italians are likely aware of such a band existing. In fact, it's hard to imagine these guys are even aware other bands exist at all. There's a strong sense of unawareness here, as if the band members are completely oblivious to what goes on around them. But that's how the music evokes such strong feelings of individuality and assertiveness within the listener, which is really what eliminates the need for labeling this pretentious in the first place.
Performance-wise these Italians can't do any wrong. They play a tight set and the songs flow together smoothly, instilling in the listener the same sense of self-dependency the warrior's path ultimately culminates in. There are several breaks between each "metal" song for "non-metal" interludes, which include anything from occult-esque whispers and chants to eerie and empowering foreign instrumental sections. It's not "fluffy" black metal by any means, but the focus is certainly set on enlightening the listener through positive reinforcement as opposed to "opening the eyes of the blind" with Satanic imagery and practicing self-mutilation typified by the majority of the modern black metal scene.
It would seem black metal is yet again travelling in another direction, and Tal'Set are prepared to lead the journey into new territory.
* feminist trigger warning
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Performance:
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9 |
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Songwriting:
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8 |
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Originality:
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8 |
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Production:
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9 |
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Written on 30.03.2012 by
Troy Killjoy
A Metal Storm Staff member and official reviewer since 2011, Troy is well-trained in the art of black metal and mockery.
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Comments
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10
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Users visited:
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163 |
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Sounds intriguing. Shame there's no samples of their sound.
Oh wait, I found one |
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Written by !J.O.O.E.! on 30.03.2012 at 19:32
Shame there's no samples of their sound.
What what.
(There's a little play option below the tracklist.) |
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Written by Troy Killjoy on 30.03.2012 at 19:35
(There's a little play option below the tracklist.)
Got it : P |
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| Wait... another review? And you gave it 8 in originality? Sounds like i have something to look for |
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Written by Alex Lemon on 31.03.2012 at 01:39
Wait... another review? And you gave it 8 in originality? Sounds like i have something to look for
The 8 for originality is a direct result of their shamanic influence or whatever. It's a very different approach than is typical for a black metal band. |
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Written by Troy Killjoy on 31.03.2012 at 03:17
The 8 for originality is a direct result of their shamanic influence or whatever. It's a very different approach than is typical for a black metal band.
Well you seemed to like it, so i shall have to purchase this... wherever i can do that |
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Written by Alex Lemon on 31.03.2012 at 03:21
Well you seemed to like it, so i shall have to purchase this... wherever i can do that
Once it's released you can find it here. |
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Written by Troy Killjoy on 31.03.2012 at 03:25
Once it's released you can find it here.
Ah, thank you kind sir. |
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 .Nick - 31.03.2012 at 21:24
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| The sample song sure sounds interesting. |
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Written by Alex Lemon on 31.03.2012 at 03:28
Written by Troy Killjoy on 31.03.2012 at 03:25
Once it's released you can find it here.
Ah, thank you kind sir.
It's on iTunes, too. |
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