Kovenant Albums (4)
'In Times Before the Light'
Release Date 8/26/2002
Tracks 10
Label Hammerheart
See Album Tracklist and Review
What The Critics Say
Sporting a retooled lineup and a new name spelling (in order to avoid confusion with the Swedish band Covenant), Kovenant moves toward the '90s mainstream with their sophomore album, Animatronic. While the sound is obviously rooted in the Norwegian black metal scene from which most of the band's members came, the album goes off in several different directions, often within the same song: more accessible, Cradle of Filth-style black metal, complete with female backing vocalist; keyboard-driven goth metal, with baroque-sounding passages and moody soundscapes; the other side of the goth metal equation, influenced by Mercyful Fate's elegant riffing and classic horror themes; Marilyn Manson-style theatrics. At times, Kovenant have problems pulling all of this together into a cohesive style of their own, but their ambition is admirable and their sound ultimately distinct from most of their contemporaries. ~ Steve Huey, All Music Guide
'Nexus Polaris'
Release Date 1/1/1998
Tracks 8
Label East West Germany
See Album Tracklist and Review
What The Critics Say
Ironically speaking, Covenant sure are the bastard sons of black metal. Even though Covenant is a sort of a supergroup consisting of players who were involved with the notorious Norwegian black metal scene from its early days, they break all of the conservative rules of black metal with no shame at all. And the result, Nexus Polaris, sure sounds exciting. It isn't much of a masterpiece production-wise, but because of its noise, speed, and rawness it feels like a fine kick in your face. Filled with crunchy riffs, neo-classical-inspired leads, and keyboard fills, Nexus Polaris succeeds in being eclectic and structureless without falling into the usual pitfalls of its kind: Being mapless and therefore confusing. Nexus Polaris doesn't really have any standout tracks (apart from "The SulphurFeast" and "The Last of Dragons," which are the best), but Nexus Polaris is excellent because it really doesn't have any bad tracks. But, depending of the listener, its obvious rawness and lack of decent production can be either intriguing or stressful. Either way, Nexus Polaris is a fine and innovative album. ~ Antti J. Ravelin, All Music Guide
