Album Review: Darkwoods My Betrothed – Angel of Carnage Unleashed (Napalm Records)

After 23 years of silence, the Finnish cult black metallers and pioneers of the scene Darkwoods My Betrothed mark their long-awaited comeback with a hard-hitting new offering, Angel of Carnage Unleashed, to be released on November 12, 2021 via Napalm Records. The old horde from the original 1993 line-up has re-joined forces, now augmented by Tuomas Holopainen as a full member of the band and Kai Hahto (both Nightwish) as session drummer. Holopainen had already been featured as a session keyboardist on all previous albums.

23 years would be a long time in most genres but this is black metal and it never ages. Picking up exactly where they left off, Darkwoods My Betrothed delight the masses with a brand new of album of evil and horror.

An album with style, if you can believe that. Oh, for sure, it’s a brutal and savage-laden listen for the most part but Darkwoods My Betrothed throw in symphonic touches and epic flair for something much more layered.

It’s an evil listen and you can hear the hunger that infects Darkwoods My Betrothed throughout. They not just capable of delivering something that honours their past while also looking forward, they excel at it. Angel of Carnage Unleashed is an accomplished piece of work that just grows in strength and stature as it goes on.

Case in point is the lavish length of In Evil, Sickness and in Grief that follows the opening blast of noise that is Name the Dead and comes before the more melodic Murktide and Midnight Sun. The same band but three very different tracks. Each one offering something fresh, interesting and exciting.

It only gets better and better with the haunting heaviness of You Bitter Source of Sorrow and the melody-led horror of Where We Dwell. Darkwoods My Betrothed proving that the world is better off with them in it.

Though it might come as something of a surprise to then find something so mellow and chilled with In Thrall to Ironskull’s Heart. Hold on though as this track heavies up, taking on a more traditional epic heavy metal form at first but still having this incredibly uplifting vein running through it. It’s a spectacular listen and a highlight of the album.

Such a great track was that, it reenergises the mind, body and spirit, ready for the old-school howling blackened number that is Massacre. Before the album wraps up with the massive, twisted and horrifying beauty of Black Fog and Poison Wind.

The Outro being a short piece of atmospheric and cinematic music to allow you a moment to collect your thoughts before you hit repeat on the album.

What a return this is.

Darkwoods My Betrothed – Angel of Carnage Unleashed Full Track Listing:

1. Name the Dead
2. In Evil, Sickness and in Grief
3. Murktide and Midnight Sun
4. You Bitter Source of Sorrow
5. Where We Dwell
6. In Thrall to Ironskull’s Heart
7. Massacre
8. Black Fog and Poison Wind
9. Outro

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