Dissection Albums (6)
What The Critics Say
Reinkaos marks Dissection's return to activity following vocalist/guitarist Jon Nödtveidt's nearly decade-long incarceration for murder and, as if that wasn't cause enough for conscientious fans to feel ambivalent about its release, there's the usual trepidation that comes with any belated addition to an already respected body of work to be accounted for. Indeed, ask most any Dissection fan for his or her two cents, and the opinion would be put forth that the group's original classics -- 1993's The Somberlain and 1995's Storm of the Light's Bane -- certainly didn't need a sequel, but then, now that it's here, why get all worked up with the results? These generally comprise mid-paced, melodic death metal/black metal reminiscent of the band's mid-'90s origins and Swedish brethren like In Flames, Dark Tranquillity, et al. (see "Starless Aeon" and "God of Forbidden Light" in particular), and therefore suggest that Nödtveidt was either isolated from or resistant to the countless stylistic advancements that occurred during his incarceration. Let this serve as your personal key, therefore, for either embracing or dismissing Reinkaos' built-in, inescapable sense of nostalgia. Introductory piece "Nexion 218" may sound like the name of a new brand of shampoo, but is in fact a magisterial instrumental setting up an entertaining array of hook-laden, crisply recorded, blast-from-the-past extreme metal anthems (highlights including "Beyond the Horizon," "Black Dragon," and "Infernal Fire"), whose only glaring weakness is, again, being so inherently dated. Forgive that issue for what it is and Reinkaos will make for a welcome return to one's youth (how long since you've heard a sub-minute acoustic interlude like "Chaosphobia" on a Scandinavian metal album...ok, not that long); after all, the likely alternative -- forced evolution -- could have proven even more traumatic. ~ Eduardo Rivadavia, All Music Guide
What The Critics Say
Dissection leader Jon Nodtveidt's murder-related prison sentence in 1997 halted the career of one of the decade's most influential Swedish metal bands right at its peak, after just two full-length albums. The years since then have seen the release of an outtakes/demos collection (The Past Is Alive), a reissue of the classic Storm of the Light's Bane disc, and now, with Live Legacy, the inevitable live album. Far from the sort of archive-scraping cash-in attempt one might fear given the circumstances, however, this CD documents a powerful, well-recorded concert performance by the quartet that shows, again, just why they continue to be so revered despite Nodtveidt's highly unfortunate criminal past. The track list consists simply of four songs from Storm of the Light's Bane (five if you count the intro piece "At the Fathomless Depths") and two from The Somberlain. These versions do not stray far (if at all) from the originals, but it is still exciting to hear them played with such energy and precision in a live setting. If anything, these versions are actually heavier and harder-rocking than the ones on the studio albums. The only drawbacks to this album are the slightly brief running time (just over 40 minutes) and the lack of any new or unreleased material. That said, this is still a great live album that will please any fan of this pioneering band's trademarked majestic, frostbitten death/black/thrash metal sound. ~ William York, All Music Guide
What The Critics Say
When Dissection came along in 1989, the Scandinavian death metal/black metal scene was full of one-dimensional, amelodic grindcore bands that liked one tempo: ultra-fast. Such bands could be exhilarating, but their limitations were obvious -- and they were extremely predictable. Dissection, however, tried to avoid grindcore's pitfalls. The Swedish band was as blistering and ferocious as anyone in Scandinavia's death metal/black metal scene, and singer Jon Nödtveidt favored the sort of choked satanic vocals that death metallers were known for. But Dissection was more musical, often changing tempos and throwing in the occasional acoustic guitar. A collection of Dissection's early rarities from 1990-1992, The Past Is Alive demonstrates that even in the beginning, the band could hold your interest much longer than other death metallers. The Past Is Alive doesn't contain Dissection's best-known or most essential recordings; the CD's material ranges from 1991's Into Infinite Obscurity EP to the original demo versions of songs (including "Mistress of the Bleeding Sorrow," "Feathers Fell," and "Frozen") that ended up on its first full-length album The Somberlain. Also included are two ultra-rare recordings by Satanized, a little-known death metal outfit that Nödtveidt co-led on the side in 1991. Taken from a rehearsal, "Born in Fire" and "Satanized" are plagued by lousy sound quality; nonetheless, hardcore collectors will be glad to catch a rare glimpse of that short-lived band. And collectors are the people that Necropolis is going after with The Past Is Alive, which isn't recommended to casual listeners. Although enjoyable, this CD is strictly for seasoned Dissection fans. ~ Alex Henderson, All Music Guide
'Storm of the Light's Bane'
Release Date 1/23/1996
Tracks 5
Label NBA
See Album Tracklist and Review
What The Critics Say
On their final full-length album, Dissection further refines their brand of icy black/death metal with impressive and frightening results. The guitars, with their gloomy minor-key riffs and intentionally blurred tones, feel like a cold wind on the permafrost. The drums are speedy, intricate, and precise, while frontman Jon Nodtveidt's vocals -- delivered in an evil, mid-range rasp -- top off what amounts to just a nightmarishly dark sound. To put it another way, very few bands could get away with an album cover that depicts the grim reaper riding across the snow on a black horse while holding a scythe and an hourglass; Dissection is one of them. The songs themselves (six of them, excluding the guitars-only intro and the pseudo-classical piano outro) are all expertly crafted mini-epics. There is a strong sense of thematic unity tying each song's various riffs and sections together, and the soaring, darkly majestic guitar melodies are consistently memorable. Sure, there is a little bit of melodrama here, but Dissection is most certainly on top of their game, and Storm of the Light's Bane is deservedly hailed as a landmark in the melodic black/death metal genre. ~ William York, All Music Guide
