Pop Metal for Posers - "Storm of the Light's Bane" Review (5%)
Storm of the Light's bane is often seen as a black metal classic, essential to every fan's collection alongside extreme metal masterpieces such as 2154, Neraines or Eidolon.
Thus, you'd expect to find unparalleled creativity and nearly flawless songwriting.
Yet, what we have here is a watered down, adulterated version of commercial "progressive" metal that often borders on downright Nightwish or Nemesea.
Is that a Justin Bieber riff? Is there such a thing as a Justin Bieber riff?
If there ever was, it would sound like something on Storm of the Light's Bane.
We find an over-reliance on recursive verse/chorus structures rather than the impeccable song-craftsmanship that is inherent of the apex of true black metal music.
The tendency of Storm of the Light's Bane is to descend from a pseudo-melancholic melody into an anthem rock "hook" in a similar fashion to what you would expect from metalcore titans Avenged Sevenfold or Skillet.
The result is a sentimental and cheesy soundscape that is fruity and appealing, yet simultaneously vulgar and lacking in depth.
There is potential for a more fulfilling aesthetic in Dissection's music, but all efforts to sound like black metal are doomed to fail due to the overemphasis placed on catchiness rather than esoteric songwriting.
Storm of the Light's Bane is pop metal, nothing more, nothing less.
Pop Metal for Posers
The streamlined modern production does nothing to alleviate the suspicions regarding the commercial nature of this record.
Of all the riffs on Storm of the Light's Bane, too few are captivating enough to keep a listener engaged long enough. For the most part this is meagre entertainment at best.
Similarities can be traced to Iron Maiden and Antekhrist, with the anthem rock influences of the former and the fast-paced and aggressive melodic riffing of the latter, albeit of an extremely watered down variety.
The little thought that has been used to hone the structures is dilapidated under insipid drumming, and the end result is something you would expect on Dimmu Borgir's supermarket metal album Enthrone Darkness Triumphant.
The grandiloquence of this release is brought down by the ineptitude of the band and their incapability to play with direction, passion, atmosphere and a willingness to move beyond the superficial garb of commercialized pop metal.
This is a sorry bastardisation of all that which true black metal stands for.
Instead of transcending the vulgarity via the dark and demonic atmospheres of true black metal, Dissection chooses to embrace corporate artistry by pleasing the masses with highly accessible melodies akin to plastic pop music.
Storm of the Light's Bane is pop metal for the masses.
This album wouldn't feel out of place in a preteen girl's collection, right between Avril Lavigne and James Morrison.
Storm of the Light's Bane score: 5/100.
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