Album Review: Cen Atebertas by Dumno – A Blackened Journey Through Time
If you're into raw, unfiltered black metal with a touch of mysticism, Cen Atebertas by Dumno is one you’ll want to sink your teeth into. Released in 2013 via Atavism Records (France), this album feels like stepping into an ancient forest shrouded in fog—dark, haunting, and full of secrets. It’s not flashy or overly produced; instead, it thrives on its stripped-down intensity and primal energy.
The tracklist includes some real standouts, but two songs stuck with me long after the first listen: "Nemeton" and "L’Ancienne Race." Let’s break ‘em down.
"Nemeton" kicks things off with a wall of tremolo-picked riffs that hit like a storm rolling in. The drums are relentless, pounding away like war drums summoning something ancient. What makes this track unforgettable is how it balances chaos with melody—there’s this eerie guitar line lurking beneath the surface, almost like a ghost trying to whisper its story. You can’t help but feel drawn deeper into the abyss every time those shrieked vocals rip through the mix.
Then there’s "L’Ancienne Race," which closes the album with a sense of finality. This one slows things down just enough to let the atmosphere breathe. The melodies here are mournful yet strangely beautiful, as if they’re paying tribute to a forgotten age. The interplay between the guitars and the haunting vocal delivery gives the track a ritualistic vibe. By the end, you're left wondering if you’ve just witnessed a ceremony meant for ears alone.
Tracks like “Dumno” and “Autumno” keep the momentum going, blending fury with fleeting glimpses of introspection. And while “Ils Ne Passeront Pas Le Gué” leans heavier on aggression, it still fits snugly within the album’s overarching theme of exploring old legends and untamed landscapes.
What sets Cen Atebertas apart from other black metal releases isn’t just its sound—it’s the way it transports you. Listening to this record feels like uncovering fragments of a lost civilization, piecing together their stories through sound rather than words. Sure, the production could be cleaner, but honestly? That rough edge only adds to the charm. It’s imperfect, yes, but isn’t that what makes it human?
In the end, Cen Atebertas reminds us why black metal remains so captivating—it’s more than music; it’s a doorway to another realm. Just don’t expect any hand-holding once you step through. Oh, and fun fact: I couldn’t stop picturing cloaked figures chanting around a bonfire while listening to this. Maybe that says more about me than the album, but hey, art should spark wild thoughts, right?
