The Ruins of Beverast
Blood Vaults - The Blazing Gospels of Heinrich...


4.5
superb

Review

by Keating USER (9 Reviews)
December 17th, 2015 | 25 replies


Release Date: 2013 | Tracklist

Review Summary: World-class black doom.

The Ruins of Beverast is the music of multi-instrumentalist Alexander Von Meilenwald, ex-Nagelfar drummer, and prophet of the blackest doom. Here he assumes the role of the infamous Inquisitor of the Catholic Church, Heinrich Kramer. Kramer penned the notorious treatise Malleus Maleficarum, in 1486, which translates to “The Hammer of the Witches.” Misogynistic to the core, it’s a witch hunt manual for the detection and prosecution of witches, outlining procedures for their torture and killing.

Mainly a slower-paced experience, this album is by all rights doom/black metal – both. But if you’re like me and have no time for the trendy occult doom fluff polluting today’s metal, fear not. This is black doom of the highest order (file it under black metal). Ominous atmospheres rich in synthesized textures drape a dense backdrop behind the blasphemous beauty within. Von Meilenwald’s guitars absolutely shine throughout the album with crushing riffs and ethereal notions. Vocally, he is outstanding, especially as the hellish voice of the Inquisitor, and he flexes some clean-vocal muscles in small but tasteful measures. The lush production is a wall of sound, polished with clean-as-a-whistle drumming. The theme of the subject matter is strongly emoted through the use of organ, choir and spoken Latin for a truly religious experience.

Now, take a look at the album artwork. I have to say, that in only the way that art can, it accurately conveys the mood that this album creates. Dark and evil, scary and elegant, other-worldly but human – and that color! It’s perfect.

The Ruins of Beverast is a name that belongs alongside other innovative masters of black metal such as Deathspell Omega and Blut Aus Nord, for this is world-class stuff. Now here’s the catch – this hour and eighteen minute opus is long, and to be fair, grinds pretty close to dragging a couple times. It’s an album that is not so much a casual listen as it is a saga in which to envelop oneself and revel in the unholy power of this glorious creation.

Highlights: “Malefica”, “Spires, the Wailing City”



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user ratings (187)
3.9
excellent


Comments:Add a Comment 
Alastor
December 17th 2015


2152 Comments

Album Rating: 4.0

Good job, this really needed a review. One of my all time favourite bands.

linguist2011
December 17th 2015


2656 Comments

Album Rating: 4.0 | Sound Off

I'm glad this finally got a review. Album is jam-packed with truly brilliant material, I distinctly remember it was one of my favourite albums of 2013.

Keating
December 17th 2015


18 Comments

Album Rating: 4.5

It was one of my favorites as well.

Hawks
December 18th 2015


95424 Comments

Album Rating: 4.5 | Sound Off

Didn't dig the album before this, but yeah this slays hard. Still gotta hear the first 2.

Alastor
December 18th 2015


2152 Comments

Album Rating: 4.0

First two are my favourites, although every album feels special in its own way.









Hypochondria
December 21st 2015


185 Comments

Album Rating: 4.0

Had no expectations. Been listening to this monster for the last 3-4 days and it only keeps getting better and better!

Totengott
May 20th 2016


4252 Comments

Album Rating: 4.0

Amazing stuff once again, Von Meilenwald is really talented.

hal1ax
May 9th 2017


15777 Comments

Album Rating: 3.5

is the new one pretty dank or wat

Totengott
May 9th 2017


4252 Comments

Album Rating: 4.0

Yeah it rules.

necropig
November 14th 2017


7442 Comments

Album Rating: 4.0

Gives the spooks

DDDeftoneDDD
December 29th 2017


22888 Comments

Album Rating: 4.0

"holy shit"

Sevengill
December 29th 2017


12601 Comments

Album Rating: 3.5

I have a friend who hates this album so I never gave it a second chance. Might do that today.

sixdegrees
December 29th 2017


13127 Comments

Album Rating: 3.0

your friend is dumb

Hawks
July 6th 2018


95424 Comments

Album Rating: 4.5 | Sound Off

Jamming this hard. m/

Hawks
April 5th 2019


95424 Comments

Album Rating: 4.5 | Sound Off

Bump. m/

Firedust
April 5th 2019


1176 Comments

Album Rating: 4.5

Band rules, album rules

Hawks
April 5th 2019


95424 Comments

Album Rating: 4.5 | Sound Off

Fuck yeah. This one doesn’t get enough love.

osteporosis
January 9th 2020


562 Comments

Album Rating: 4.5

Definitely needs more love

Hypochondria
May 22nd 2020


185 Comments

Album Rating: 4.0

This need way more attention, splendid album

Solipsist
May 22nd 2020


104 Comments


For sure Hypo. Iv'e been slowly working through their disco and this one is not less mind blowing than what came before. It's just so dense and hard to digest, especially in one sitting.



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