Daemonian - The Frost Specter's Wrath Review

Hailing from Japan, Daemonian follow a similar tactic like modern Japanese breweries do with their local beer: borrowing a recipe from the US or Europe, and following it to the last milligram. This overly analytical analogy, when thought of in a musical framework, can reveal how the project is strongly reminiscent to melodic black metal from Scandinavia, and specifically Sweden. Some melo-death elements also exist, but you already get the gist. 

For this endeavour, a designer has been hired to also create artwork similar to that scene of the 90’s like the legendary works of Necrolord, and what solely stands as a unique addition is the sketch of this specific logo. Going into The Frost Specter’s Wrath, one will realise quickly that Daemonian are fans of the Swedish sound and the frosty song titles / lyrics of Immortal, as this record is constructed basically on these two elements and what you have already heard, but in a quite decent fashion. 

I kept thinking of bands like Setherial, The Legion and especially Naglfar throughout the whole of this release, as melodic riffs came swinging constantly with non-stop fast paced melodies, screams and beautiful solos that you might also hear in heavy / power metal. The aftertaste of The Frost Specter’s Wrath is also the same, making you wonder if you actually listened to a hidden Naglfar record all this time. I particularly liked the frenzy fast and short track “Blizzard Blast” that would make all the aforementioned bands proud and the closing, self-titled piece. 

As a whole, the album is executed perfectly and that’s what slightly saves its case. All of it is really enjoyable and the tracks pass by easily, I would still hope that Daemonian sort of discover their own sound, but as a shameless tribute to the Scandinavian melodic black / death metal scene, the fans will love it and the rest won’t be surprised. It only has a slightly less aggressive sound than its geographically distant relatives, and maybe a sense of viking metal in “King of the Daemons”. Apart from that, you simply know what you get.

DAMAGE: 3/5

Listen:
Bandcamp

Release date: 31 Jan 2023 (Zero Dimensional Records)