Robed In Exile

Serenity Fades

1997

Review by Neil St.Laurent

Thanks to the band for the Cassette

Opening with an acoustic medly the odd sensation of the band becomes immediately present. What on the surface sounds somewhat like standard black metal, "Serenity Fades" is somehow different from the masses. The often overdone keyboard element has been replaced by nothing more than a guitar. A clean or acoustic guitar melody placed in the middle of the song, or an actual lead guitar sound, not just that blazing ryhthm we're so used to, maintains that raw sound so many in the genre hoped for, while at the same time adding the dimension of atmosphere.

There is a focus on structure and transition rather than simply excessive speed and high pitch shrieking; with the only known parallel to be drawn is to Ophthalamia, without of course the benefit of such a level of production. It is black metal minus the cheese and monotony.

Robed In Exile's "Serenity Fades" is a fresh approach to this usually uninventive genre. This demo has an excessive amount of energy and agression maintained in the very raw, yet at times strangely atmospheric music. This band has a lot of talent and a lot of potential to become a well recognized name in the genre.

Robed In Exile is:
Jeremy - Vocals
Ricky - Bass
Mikael - Lead Guitar
Nicky - Guitar
Brian - Drums

Contact:

Voice: +1.510.606.9570
Email: bludgeon1@juno.com
Web: http://www.aimnet.com/~matth/exile/main.html

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