Review Summary: ONE RING TO RULE THEM ALL!
Black metal geeks everywhere rejoiced when Summoning burst onto the scene in the early 90s. If you think about it, the entire second wave of black metal was pretty much a bunch of outcasts that took to painting their faces and humping snow covered trees as a way of expressing themselves. Summoning may have been the geekiest of the bunch. They were the first Lord of the Rings themed metal band (that I can think of) and their bombastic symphonic arrangements and programmed drums ushered in an entire new sound to the black metal genre.
Minas Morgul is Summoning’s second full length album and it is also their best. Protector and Silenius toyed with the sound that they would perfect here on their debut album
Lugburz but there were plenty of kinks to work out. While still great in its own right, the debut was just a bit too messy.
Minas Morgul has no such issues. This entire album is an epic journey through the lands of Middle Earth. The keyboards soar triumphantly at the forefront, making you feel as if you’re side by side with Frodo and Gandalf about to slay a drooling troll. Take the intro to The Passing of the Grey Company for example. You’re enticed by the peaceful Middle Ages dungeon synth-esque keys as a peasant beggar is enticed by a warm loaf of bread in a dreary village. The riffage is very much in the background (as it always is with Summoning), but the melodic trems mixed with the cloudy epicness of the synths just makes the overall experience all the more epic. The drums here are almost tribal in a sense. Not many blast beats to be found here. It’s almost as if the drumming itself is the footsteps of the company trying to pass through to the dark land of Mordor. Silenius’ vocal performance here is also absolutely incredible and one of the main highlights. His hoarse screeches echo mightily from a distance, sounding as if Sauron is shouting obscenities to Frodo and friends as they inch closer and closer to his dark empire.
What makes
Minas Morgul Summoning’s crowning achievement, and one of the best black metal albums ever in general, is just how damn triumphant it really is. You can talk about “epic” all you want, but
Minas Morgul is the very definition of epic. You will not find another album or band that can depict the magic of the Lord of the Rings trilogy better than Summoning. Their ability to transport you right into the fire of the intense journey through the trials and tribulations of Frodo’s company is simply astounding. Almost 30 years later,
Minas Morgul has cemented its legacy as the best fantasy inspired black metal album ever made.
