Style: progressive metal, melodic black metal (harsh vocals)
Recommended for fans of: modern Rotting Christ, Immortal, black metal Iron Maiden(???)
Review by: Sam
Country: Finland
Release date: 21 February, 2020
[EDIOTR’S NOTE: This album was originally included in the February 2020 Part 2 issue of The Progressive Subway.]
This is it. The review I’ve mentally been writing since February. I found this album while browsing through Bandcamp, and it instantly struck a chord with me (not that I know anything about chords). Antipope is a black metal band, and a good one. And so far, this is the only album of the year I have been truly enamored with.
Apostle of Infinite Joy is a very unique album. It starts with a sort of psychedelic intro, but don’t be mistaken. It doesn’t last long. Soon the album explodes into a colossal black metal assault. It’s not in the way you expect it to however. Instead of frantic blast beats with fast picked tremolo riffs, we get swelling melodic riffs, epic background synths and amazingly varied drum work. I can’t recall the last time I’ve heard a black metal album where I was so consistently enamored with the drumming. It probably helps that the album is mid-tempo by the genre’s standards, so there’s more room for creative fills and patterns to exist in. The band has the dynamics nailed as well, striking an excellent balance in tempo and tension and release, making the songs very easy to listen to. The album is also very melodic, incorporating many heavy metal-inspired harmonies over their black metal core sound. The guitar work is just absolutely delicious. Be it the atmosphere, the riffs, or the lead playing, it’s all absolute ear-candy (though I do miss some shred-fest solos). The production is slick as hell too. The tones are amazing and the whole thing just sounds damn colossal. Each instrument sounds incredibly powerful without stepping on another instrument’s toes.
I mentioned the dynamics, but this band has songwriting nailed in general. They managed to make each song distinctive by giving it something immediately memorable. Sometimes it’s a riff, another time it’s the atmosphere, or a good vocal hook. Speaking of vocals, they are… one of a kind. As weird as it sounds, it’s like Dave Mustaine decided to become a black metal vocalist instead, but then in a good way? It has that same nasal, high-ish snarl, but then more… black? All I know is that it works, somehow. At least, during the heavier parts. The softer, more melodic passages often come across as a bit forced. However, judging by the previous albums, his voice has already improved a ton, so I’ll give him some leeway in that respect.
I don’t know what else to say. This album is really good. It loses steam a bit near the end as some passages become a bit aimless and the vocals can be kinda awkward at times, but otherwise I have absolutely zero qualms with this album. Antipope sounds like exactly no one but themselves. Apostle of Infinite Joy is an absolute win, and I strongly recommend it to anyone with an affection for melodic black metal. Easily my favorite release of the year thus far (though new Green Carnation may give it a run for its money).
Recommended tracks: Harbinger of Dawn, Red Goddess, Venereal Ritual for Dispersion and Reintegration of the Soul
You may also like: Zemial (bandcamp)
Final verdict: 8.5/10
Related links: Bandcamp | Spotify | Official Website | Facebook | Instagram | Metal-Archives page
Label: Independent
Antipope is:
– Mikko Myllykangas (vocals, guitar)
– Juho Rikberg (guitars)
– Santtu Heinilehto (bass)
– Jyri Palmu (drums)
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