Review by JD on July 23, 2012.

There is something about a haunting melody and crushing music to back it up that sends me into almost a orgasmic state of mind. That is why I love bands like Candlemass, St.Vitus, My Dying Bride and Novembers Doom to name just a few. It's the assured power, the intense passion and the depressive tidal wave of heaviness rolled up into one mighty machine of Doom. Ah, is it not wonderful?

One of the bands that I have heard periodically over the years is Sweden’s Draconian. Truthfully, this is on really amazing Gothic/Doom that defies all types of description. Deeply haunting, spirit scathing, sullen, depressive, pain filled and having this slow grinding chaos that adds the added punch to a band that is one of the best assembly of musicians ever. This is absolutely dark inspired, soul ripping and addictive. That would be the right amount of terms here.

After hearing the album nearly twenty times now (I usually only play it three for reviews), I find myself hesitating to pick any of these songs out to be singled out as being better than any of the others. Every last song is so flawless and strong, it is very clear to me that it would be so unfair to pick just one or two to represent this amazing band.

Draconian has made an album that should be in the top ten no matter what year you hear it. This album is filled with intelligent, technically accomplished melodies that instantly stick in your head while they guide you back into its darkness and lead you through the macabre labyrinth of their minds. It already has become one of the few albums that I keep gravitating to playing, and I think that it will become may others as well.

Categorical Rating Breakdown

Musicianship: 9.5
Atmosphere: 9
Production: 8.5
Originality: 10
Overall: 9

Rating: 9.2 out of 10

Review by JD on July 23, 2012.

There is something about a haunting melody and crushing music to back it up that sends me into almost a orgasmic state of mind. That is why I love bands like Candlemass, St.Vitus, My Dying Bride and Novembers Doom to name just a few. It's the assured power, the intense passion and the depressive tidal wave of heaviness rolled up into one mighty machine of Doom. Ah, is it not wonderful?

One of the bands that I have heard periodically over the years is Sweden’s Draconian. Truthfully, this is on really amazing Gothic/Doom that defies all types of description. Deeply haunting, spirit scathing, sullen, depressive, pain filled and having this slow grinding chaos that adds the added punch to a band that is one of the best assembly of musicians ever. This is absolutely dark inspired, soul ripping and addictive. That would be the right amount of terms here.

After hearing the album nearly twenty times now (I usually only play it three for reviews), I find myself hesitating to pick any of these songs out to be singled out as being better than any of the others. Every last song is so flawless and strong, it is very clear to me that it would be so unfair to pick just one or two to represent this amazing band.

Draconian has made an album that should be in the top ten no matter what year you hear it. This album is filled with intelligent, technically accomplished melodies that instantly stick in your head while they guide you back into its darkness and lead you through the macabre labyrinth of their minds. It already has become one of the few albums that I keep gravitating to playing, and I think that it will become may others as well.

Categorical Rating Breakdown

Musicianship: 9.5
Atmosphere: 9
Production: 8.5
Originality: 10
Overall: 9

Rating: 9.2 out of 10

Review by Jack on November 28, 2001.

Symphonic/synthetic black metal used to be all the rage in the years gone by, your Dimmu Borgir’s and Old Man’s Child’s would play all the catchy bopping metal that our sisters could appreciate. Then as of late, each of these sympho/syntho bands decided that they wanted to be the biggest fish in the pond and went to radical extremes to create a unique and ultimately removed standard in black metal thoroughfare. This is all well and good, but it leaves some of the consumers with a craving for good and solid sympho/syntho black metal from yesteryears. Be thankful for Dark Funeral, they provide that trip down memory lane with their unashamed brand of hyper-speed black music.

If the year was between 1996-1998, Dark Funeral probably would not be receiving such a favorable review. But here we sit; near the end of 2001, and “Diabolis Interium” is such a solid and all round album that it is really hard to fault. Dark Funeral know their limits and they stick by them. Dark Funeral with “Diabolis Interium” do not try and create an album that incorporates every know element of metal from the past thirty years into to one big mess. They adhere with the well-known elements of black metal and make black metal like it should be.

The only slur on “Diabolis Interium” is the usage of the Satan metaphors and lyrics... they have been done to death and then through hell too. But it doesn’t really make that much of difference for Dark Funeral as they play such a great form of black metal.

Dark Funeral with “Diabolis Interium” do not deliver a lasting impression, like a boxer that is able to go the full twelve rounds; but instead gives a short, sharp jab to the sternum that leaves a different sort of impression, one that is not of anguish or boredom, but instead the sort like “hey that was a fun trip, have to do it again sometime”. It is a very short 36 minute album, that is clocked in at the right time and does not bore the listener like some other epic black metal bands. Dark Funeral do what they do and they do it well, then they leave. No room for commercialisation or crap like that. A band true to the black metal game.

Bottom Line: No need for ridiculous originality here folks, Dark Funeral go about their tunes with style and precision well, telling us that the black metal scene is still live and kicking.

Categorical Rating Breakdown

Originality: 5
Musicianship: 8
Atmosphere: 7
Production: 8
Overall: 8

Rating: 7.2 out of 10