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FATAL PORTRAIT "Adventum"

http://www.burningblack.net

Formed back in 1998, with two releases at their backs; “Rapture Among The Idols” (EP 1999 – Arte de Occulta) and “An Elusive Instinct Of Lascivia” (Full Length 2001 – Downfall Records), this Spanish band delivers here, an impressive extreme Metal work, their music could be labelled as Black Metal, but “Adventum” is much more than only that, of course the Black Metal sound reigns over this album, but isn’t in the traditional old school Scandinavian inspired sound, probably a good label would be Modern Black Metal, plenty of Death, Thrash and even Heavy Metal references and crowned by an extreme and technical performance. The music moves mostly at mid to fast paced velocities, the constant structure changes are a trademark of this album, the electric and extreme guitar riffs tends to remind me the sound of Dissection in some passages, while some guitar lines sound within the parameters of traditional Heavy Metal, the drumming is extremely well executed, dealing perfectly with the velocities and structure changes. The bass is completely powerful and deep sounding, delivering not only a good base for the entire music, but a completely new dimension (just listen to “Emperor Of The Unforgiven Ones”). The vocal work, although is the most primitive element, shows a remarkable versatility, you will not find here only growls and shrieks. Clean, potent and deep tones are all along the disc and mixed with the traditional blackish shrieks and growls, create extreme and original atmospheres. This album consist in nine tracks, plus two bonus, the fist one is a cover of “Is That You Melissa” (a Merciful Fate song that originally appears at “The Graveyard” album) that considerably respect the original version feeling, but played, of course, in a quite blackish way. The album also contains a multimedia track with a really professional video clip of “Hanging On The Edge”. The whole album has a crystal clear production, which allows you to appreciate the extreme technisism and high musical quality. Definitely “Adventum” is a solid piece of modern sounding Black Metal… Great work. (AP)

http://www.burningblack.net/FatalPortrait_review.htm

FATAL PORTRAIT "Adventum"

http://www.voicesfromthedarkside.de/

Too many potential Metal bands tend to split up too soon. Some after having just a couple of albums out, some just getting name out and on people's lips. From Santander, Spain, once came this 5-piece Black Metal act named FATAL PORTRAIT whose 2nd album, "Adventum", was a clear promise about better things ahead of them. Sadly "Adventum" was these Spanish Black Metallers' swansong as the band ceased to exist after the release. As for their Black Metal on "Adventum", I would use the term progressive and atmospheric Black Metal, with some influences absorbed from Thrash, Death and even Neo-classical Metal (especially some of the solos). They indeed have got a pretty interesting musical formula squeezed in for their last album, reminding me a bit of the times of Norwegian COVENANT's "Nexus Polaris", early DIMMU BORGIR and even "Covenant" era MORBID ANGEL at times but with a more stripped down approach to their stuff, I would say. Also, a mix of dry Black Metal snarls and occasional clean vocal parts seems to work surprisingly well on this record. For what I would also give an extra plus for FATAL PORTRAIT, is the bass' role within the other instruments. Bassist Thorgen must have learned a thing or two from Mr. Bass Wizard itself, i.e. Steve DiGiorgio, just no doubts. Also, even if there are a few a bit clumsy, more amateur-ish moments within the songs when some parts don't necessarily click to each other that seamlessly, it really does not ruin the wholeness because the album is overtaken by so many enjoyable and mind-piercing moments that are to found from this particular opus. So yeah, it's just a pity these talented Spanish Black Metallers have vanished from the Metal map for good - well, as FATAL PORTRAIT anyway.

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