The German black metal scene has always had good music, and with the release of Ylem, Dark Fortress shows that the German scene is still alive - very much so. I really have always enjoyed these guys, minus their middle era, where they went a bit too out there for me. The thing that always astounded me about Dark Fortress is that they're like a symphony without having symphonic instruments to them. They maintain the harsh black metal style in playing with Guitar/Bass/Drums/Vocals only, but make the music so melodic, that it's hard not to like.
Ylem is another concept album (much like many of the recent releases in the metal world), which explores what the universe was like before the big bang, which is what Ylem itself means. The whole philosophy behind a world that's condensed into an atom is amazing, especially when it's thrusted in your face with harsh screaming and fast paced sounds. Much of the album was based on having a progression to it, progressing from slow-blues oriented solos, often rock tunes, and slow metal chords, moving up to really fast pasted melodic chords (mostly reverse power chords, drop thirds and open chords) that gave the album a really dark feel, though maintaining the high notes in black metal.
Much of the technical solos were in fact really good, and I enjoyed many of the solo intros done by Santura. As always, the album was dark, which I guess, is why their name has the word in it. The album had more growling oriented vocals, however, maintaining a black metal feel to it. This album, looking down to it, really is a typical black metal release. Very power chordal oriented, harsh vocals, many blast beats, bass is unheard of, except in maybe 2 songs, but at the same time having the progression that I love in music.
Atmosphere is everywhere in this album. Dark Fortress has always maintained a great atmosphere to their music, but in this album, it has one of their best (after Séance). When I listen to concept albums, I get the full atmosphere, especially when I read the lyrics to the songs along with the music, because it pairs the ideals with the music and puts you in the middle of the painting they're creating. This album does have this, moreso then any concept that I've ever heard.
Downfalls, though, is that most of the album sounds the same (typical in black metal) and much of the album seems to be more of a filler then anything. Many of the lyrics seem to repeat themselves. Compare Osiris to The Valley:
"These hateful blades
Rusting inside of me
For all the rape and anguish
We suffer night by night
This cruel mirage can only languish
For all this plight is but illusion"
-Osiris
"Another promise broken
Another falsehood thrown to the dogs
Time and time again we swallow
Our throats torn by the barbed fruit of iniquity"
-The Valley
Much of the album does repeat, however that's not a reason to count it out. Many of the solos do seem to repeat, but at the same time, have their own feel to each and every one. Basically the album is really just about getting you amped through depression, and it does work. You do feel the crushing blackness of Ylem, but through that you feel anger. I do like the poeticism in the lyrics, and the best song on the album is Osiris, having notes that hit almost Atilla sounds in the vocals, and having a melodic sound that is so dear to Dark Fortress.
Highlights: Osiris, Hirudineans, The Valley, Wraith
