Funeral Rain Press Corps

Genre: Black Metal
Label: Panzerfaust Productions

Chaotic black metal in the vein of Marduk, England’s Blooddawn return with Opus Dei. This particular disc has been in my possession for awhile, having been released in 2011, but I haven’t had the opportunity to actually sit down and listen to it, which is how I best enjoy Blooddawn.
Finally, though, I took the time to give this CD-R a couple spins, and I like what I hear. There isn’t much change in sound between the last albums and this, but the song structures and songwriting itself are much stronger. The chaos is palpable; the rage that fills the previous releases has only been fueled, it seems, and it permeates this entire album. Evil tones spew into the ears and almost immediately air bass and headbanging slam my brain around. There is a doomy atmosphere to the tracks at times, especially in the opening of “Adorning the Crown of Flies”, which is probably not coincidentally my favorite track on the album.
8 out of 10.

Opus Dei Tracklisting:
1. Opus Dei
2. When Gods Die
3. Adorning the Crown of Flies
4. Embracing the Theory of Divine Superiority
5. A Great Cleansing
6. Subjugation of the Weak

Opus Dei Personnel:
Donn – Vocals
P – Instruments; Lyrics and vocals on “Embracing the Theory…”

Genre: Black Metal
Label: Panzerfaust Productions

Blooddawn’s war on religion continues in The Enlightenment, and it seems the supply line may have gotten to Paul and Donn since Funeral for a Despised Icon. A tighter, brighter sound lies underneath this monster, and it’s gotten a lot bigger too.
It also seems Blooddawn may have made themselves a bit of a sound change. It’s still evil black metal, but sounds less like Marduk and Bloodthrone, and more like Blooddawn. They’re coming into their own now, and I’m happy as hell about this.
Some experimenting in the vocal department is present, and it helps to net this album a win. I like it, and fans of older Blooddawn should too.
8 out of 10.

Genre: Black Metal
Label: Panzerfaust Productions

Opening with the title track, which is in itself a total drone masterpiece, Blooddawn’s Funeral for a Despised Icon is an old school styled UKMB album in the veins of Marduk (whom Blooddawn cover), Darkthrone, Bloodthrone, etc.
There’s nothing really new or groundbreaking here, but that doesn’t stop the CD from being really good.
The production is a little dirty, the sound a little muddy, and the mastering a little quiet. It’s best played loud to hear everything in it’s vile, evil glory. And when it’s loud, it’s great.
Donn’s vocal on “Redeemer”, on of my favorite tracks, are just tortured and full of antichristian vitriol. Love it.
Lord Afflictis did vocals on the Marduk cover (“Panzer Division Marduk”) and he fucking nails it.
Blooddawn have something here that I think any black metal fan should like – speed, anger, and sweet riffs.
7 out of 10.