Metalcatto
Sometimes I wonder what Atmospheric Black Metal would sound like if anyone actually knew or cared how to produce it. Enter Beleth’s Trumpet‘s Chapel of Bones, a band seemingly interested in doing old-school Black Metal that doesn’t sound like French fries fried out of existence. It also happens to be a Finnish band, and despite my best efforts to find some drama, it remains properly mysterious. Time will tell if that’s a good or bad thing. Anyway, let’s dive into this swirling mass of malevolence and static noise.
Well, it actually sounds nice—at least in rancid Black Metal terms. There’s still that dense fog in the background that makes you question existence (you know what I mean). Is there nostalgia here? Absolutely. This is pure Norwegian worship through and through. You can feel the ice in the riffs, and yes, there’s a classic pagan trip included. Satan, back and forth, left and right. Ritualistic music as you’ve come to expect over the past 30 years. There’s nothing wrong with that, but I want you to set your expectations accordingly. This is perfect for the diehards.
Ideas that remind me of Immortal or Carpathian Forest. It’s really a time machine that should absolutely suck, but because of the production balance, it ends up being much more engaging. Especially the album’s second half, where Chapel of Bones dares to speculate a bit more. It decides to stretch creatively, and I think that’s where Beleth’s Trumpet shines. When it steps slightly outside the classic formula and touches on a more modern Black Metal approach. And now, I’m going to smash your hopes and dreams, my corpse-painted children.
Did they photoshop an extra band member?
Chapel of Bones is safe. I don’t think these guys are interested in revolutionizing the genre. If anything, this is a homage to the very elements that made Black Metal survive through decades of chaos and transformation. However, you know creativity is my favorite dish—and that’s not the most evident thing here. The album’s first half delivers everything you know and either love or hate about icy Black Metal. The tracks blend into one another like a single prolonged wave of tremolo-picking, and that can feel a bit monotonous. But then again, some of you neurodivergents love getting punched in the same spot over and over again.
Anyway, I believe Beleth’s Trumpet has succeeded in its mission to make a totally satanic and blasphemous album that reminds me of old Watain. Sure, it wouldn’t hurt it to break a few more rules, but I’m sure plenty of listeners will find solace in its agony and despair. Because really, why else would you listen to Black Metal if not to let all your sadness go in a way that helps you avoid your problems instead of dealing with them in therapy? Oh, too direct? Well, it was about time someone was honest with you.
Label: Dominance of Darkness Records
Release date: 1 July, 2025
Website: https://belethstrumpet.bandcamp.com/album/demo-2024
Country: Finland
Score: 2.7/5.0
Metal Eclipse Reviews 