Crest of Darkness - In the Presence of Death (2013) [320] V01dV

Crest of Darkness is a black/death metal band originating from Norway. This release marks the band's sixth full-length album. This year also marks the band's 20th anniversary. I have heard quite a few of this band's albums and I must say...not too shabby. Nothing that brings the genre to a new level, but it isn't a disappointing listen if you are at all familiar with these Norwegian metallers.


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Ingars' brainchild Crest Of Darkness was conceived in the mid-nineties when his former band Conception was still at its peak. As opposed to Conception, the idea behind C.o.D. was unquestionably a product of Ingars' passion for sheer sonic brutality and devotion to the satanic ideology according to Anton LaVeys' Church Of Satan and the Satanic Bible. The contents of C.o.D.'s lyrics clearly reflect Ingars' beliefs as well as his deep admiration for vampirism.

C.o.D.'s first album, the mini-album «QUENCH MY THIRST» was released in 1996 and kicked off a lasting collaboration with producer/engineer Nils H.Mæhlum at MLP-studio, Norway.

Second album and first full-length, «SINISTER SCENARIO» was released in 1997, both of the above through norwegian label Head Not Found/Voices Of Wonder.

The next two albums were released through the french label Listenable Records. Being a project in continual progress, C.o.D. diversifies its soundscape on the third release, «THE OGRESS» -1999. At this stage, the borderline between black/goth/death shows a different direction for the band. Ingars colleagues from the now defunct Conception, Roy Khan and Arve Heimdal, both make their appearances on this album as well as Kristin Fjellseth contributing female vocals for the albums' main character - The Ogress.

On their forth release, «PROJECT REGENERATION», C.o.D. takes a far more aggressive turn. There are still potent contributions from both Kristin and Jan P. but the album reveals a more primitive, guitar-based in-your-face attitude than on previous releases. «PROJECT REGENERATION» also sets the standard for a turning point in C.o.D.'s development. What was originally a studio-project, starts growing into a vibrant band-unit.

Akke, who plays guitars on «PROJECT REGENERATION», becomes a full-time member of the band. He's a former member of norwegian, infamous punk-rock outfit "Cockroach Clan", as well as british defunct "The Yo-Yo's" (featuring members of The Wildhearts, KMFDM and The Lurkers). Akkes' straight-for-the-throat guitar-work seem to fit perfectly into the C.o.D.-blueprint.

In 2001, C.o.D. was narrowed down to a three-piece. In addition to Ingar and Akke, drummer Jarle Byberg joined the band and C.o.D. and hit the road for the first time ever. Several gigs in Norway, the very first Inferno Festival, and a successful tour in France with No Return and Symbiosis made C.o.D. become an awe-inspiring live-act.

After Jarles' departure in 2002, drummer Kjetil Hektoen becomes a full-time member of C.o.D. Kjetil is a young talented drummer who has already showed that he is much more than a newcomer. Besides playing with C.o.D. Kjetil is also a member of another black/death metal band called Enthral, and for the first time C.o.D. have a drummer who is totally dedicated to dark and extreme metal. In 2004 Crest of Darkness released a new devastating and obscure creature; "Evil Knows Evil". -An album expressed with talent, originality, passion and intensity as few are able to do nowadays. A unique synergy of aggression and freezing sensations. In a few words the ultimate conception of Extreme Metal able in blending Black Metal, Thrash assaults, great technique, blasting aggression and freezing atmospheres.

The album was recorded & mixed at MLP-Studio with the precious collaboration of the long-time friend Nils H.Mæhlum. The album was mastered at the well-known Outer Sound Studios with Giuseppe Orlando (NOVEMBRE).

After the release of this album Kjell Arne Hubred joined Crest of Darkness as a rythm-guitarist. First for doing live-performances with the band, but now he's also a full-time member of the band. On a musical, professional and personal level, the current line-up appears to be Ingars' ultimate trumph-card for the eternal life-span of Crest Of Darkness.

In the year 2006 Akke left the band because of personal reasons. This was a big loss for Crest of Darkness, but after a long search the band finally found a new lead-guitarist called Rebo. Allready in the end of 2006 Rebo met his first challenge with the band. In November/December this year the band recorded their new album "Give Us The Power To Do Your Evil". It was recorded in Outer Sound Studios in Rome/Italy with Giuseppe Orlando as producer. With this album Crest of Darkness are delivering a new dark and brutal piece of work. The album was released in the spring 2007, and as last time the label was My Kingdom Music.

When we are now entering the year 2009 the line-up remains the same. The band is currently working on new songs for their next album. They played quite a lot of concerts in 2008, and C.o.D. are now planning new live-dates for 2009; -both in Norway and abroad



Track Listing:
01. Intro
02. In the Presence of Death
03. Demon Child
04. Redemption
05. The Priest From Hell
06. Welcome to My Funeral
07. Womb of the Wolf
08. Vampire Dreams
09. From the Dead
10. The Day Before She Died