Nightbringer – Apocalypse Sun (2010)

Hailing from Colorado, we have one of the most enigmatic and brutal raw Black Metal bands to have ever been formed on American soil. “Apocalypse Sun” is the band’s second full-length album and it’s a bestial release that surpasses anything the band has ever put out before.

The overall band’s highly esoteric image is greatly portrayed in this brutal release that will leave you thirsty for more. Featuring ten tracks of pure destructive Black Metal, Nightbringer is about to take a big step out of the underground with the monumental “Apocalypse Sun”.

With its raw power “Apocalypse Sun” will sneak up on the listener with its blistering aural assault that only a handful of American band’s are capable of achieving, and that legends like Horna, and Azaghal have perfected over the years. The band’s sound is very European in nature, and has all the great elements of underground heroes of the genre.

While the band has gone more ‘melodic’ than in previous releases, you can still appreciate the raw brutality that this genre has to offer. The atmospheric elements add greatly to the overall eerie atmosphere of desperation created by the music. Nightbringer has been crafting their sound over the years and we think that they are finally ready to unleash their music to larger audiences.

The riffing in “Apocalypse Sun” is very well varied, and it never feels old. Every single riff is powerful and haunting, the way a BM release should be. The band has greatly improved in this department over the years. The vocals vary from high-pitched ‘traditional’ BM shrieks, to deep growls and lower pitch screams that are very effective for the ‘slower‘ parts of the music, like on the song: “The Utterance Of Kasb’el”.

Every single track in “Apocalypse Sun” brings all the energy of this band to the table and delivers with perfection. The album having been in the works for several years has that raw-yet-well-produced sound that we prefer over the low-fi albums we get. Since this allows the music to shine better while retaining its brutality.

Overall, “Apocalypse Sun” is a great raw Black Metal album that will be highly acclaimed in the underground scene. If you are into raw Black Metal albums with haunting atmospheres and good production values, then “Apocalypse Sun” is the release you have been waiting in quite a while.

Release: May 11th, 2010

Country: USA