Artist: Diabolic Night
Country: Germany
Label: High Roller Records / Mortal Rite Records
Formats: LP / Cassette tape / CD
Year: 2023
The impact of the wave of Teutonic Metal bands from the 80’s can still vividly be felt in today’s metal scene. Not only did bands like Kreator, Sodom and Destruction influence the formation of Thrash Metal and other Extreme Metal scenes across the globe, the sound of many others from that era is still proudly represented by some of the finest German Metal acts. Desaster, Nocturnal, Cruel Force and Hellish Crossfire are just a few examples of bands that took the sound of their childhood heroes into a volatile mix of Thrash Metal and first wave Black Metal. Another band we can add to that list is Diabolic Night, who released their sophomore album ‘Beneath the Crimson Prophecy’ in the later months of 2023.
While many of the current Black/Thrash acts from Germany may be influenced by similar acts, the musical outcome tends to differ slightly from one band to another. Diabolic Night has forged a sound that comes closer to that of Cruel Force, with a sharper proto-Black Metal edge taken from for instance Poison, Sodom, Venom and Bathory, blended with the violence of acts such as Iron Angel, Violent Force and Destruction. In particular the raw sound of the guitars, the delightful analog drums and clearly audible bass that certainly has a bit of a Steve Harris vibe blend very well together. This gives way to the more classical uptempo and choppy Thrash Metal basis on which lead melodic riffs are placed. These riffs, along with the rasping vocals, certainly contribute strongly to the Black Metal angle that the band evokes. You can even say that there is a slight atmospheric element to the music of Diabolic Night that comes through the coldness of the riffs. Take for instance ‘The Sacred Scriptures’, a prime example where old school German styled riffs add a coldness to the sound of Diabolic Night, much as it did to early second wave Black Metal bands from for instance Norway. Tracks like ‘Starlit Skies’ and the lengthy closer ‘Arktares Has Fallen’ may have much more Heavy Metal based catchy melodic leads, but they blend in just as well into the sound, much as it did for bands like Running Wild in their early days. All in all, the balance between the violence and the more melodic components is laudible, and quite an improvement from the band’s solid debut.
There are little flaws to be found on ‘Beneath the Crimson Prophecy’. You can maybe argue that the formula of Diabolic Night is maybe a tad too one-dimensional to make the 8+ minute closer ‘Arktares Has Fallen’ as epic as they maybe intended, but it still fulfills its purpose as a solid closer rather well. So if you’re into bands that pay homage to the legends of the 80’s Teutonic Metal scene and like violent Black/Thrash Metal, you should definitely check this new Diabolic Night album out, it’s a ripper!
