Limbonic Art - In Abhorrence Dementia

It's been a long time since I last really enjoyed something in the vein of "black metal", but hearing this album again really brings back the good days.

I remember how at the time I was delighted to discover Limbonic Art in general, and this album in particular. It combined the brutality that is the most predominant element with contemporary bands such as Emperor or Darkthrone (although they, too, are praised for their own approach that some stubborn hardliners would call gay), and the extended use of synths (synths, at that, that don't always try to mimic real instruments) that add to the atmosphere. The synthetic side of things is backed up further through the use of drum machines that don't try to hide the fact that they're programmed.

I know that Cradle of Filth and Dimmu Borgir have sort of changed the face of black metal (I won't go into detail on whether it was for the good or for the worse), but with Limbonic Art, I've never felt the threat of cheap commercialism.

It's this mix of brutality and sensitivity that appeals to me. Very stylish, subtle, multi-faceted. I've rediscovered that style in all sorts of electronics later on, but this album amongst others is still delightful to hear.