Forever On The Dark Side by Shadowthrone Funebre Assur: A Raw Blackened Journey Through Darkness
Alright, buckle up. We’re diving into Forever On The Dark Side, the 2008 Hungarian black metal beast from Shadowthrone Funebre Assur. Released under Neverheard Distro (cool name, right?), this album doesn’t mess around—it’s cold, grimy, and unapologetically raw. It’s like wandering through a frostbitten forest at night while your brain whispers things you’d rather not think about.
Let’s get one thing straight: if polished production is what you're after, this ain't it. But that's kinda the charm here. The lo-fi crunch of the guitars feels like they were recorded in some abandoned crypt, and honestly? That works for me. This record captures the essence of black metal—chaotic yet hauntingly beautiful. And yeah, I know “hauntingly beautiful” sounds all fancy-pants, but trust me, it fits.
Now, onto the tracks. There are two that stuck with me like gum on a shoe: "Lonely Emptiness Of A Burning God" and "Az Én Poklom."
First off, "Lonely Emptiness Of A Burning God"—what even is that title?! It’s wild enough to make you stop scrolling. Musically, it hits hard. The riffs are jagged and relentless, like someone took a serrated knife to your soul. Meanwhile, the vocals sound like a banshee trapped in an industrial fan. But weirdly, there’s melody buried beneath the chaos—a slow-burning groove that sneaks up on you when you least expect it. By the time the track ends, you’re left feeling hollowed out but weirdly satisfied, like you just survived something intense.
Then there’s "Az Én Poklom," which translates roughly to “My Hell.” Oh man, this song. Imagine being chased by wolves in the dead of winter—that’s the vibe. The drumming is absolutely relentless, pounding away like war drums calling you to battle or maybe just doom. What really got me was how the atmosphere shifts midway; it slows down just enough to let the icy synths creep in, giving you goosebumps before slamming back into full-on apocalypse mode. You can tell these guys weren’t just throwing stuff together—they had a vision, dark as it may be.
The rest of the album keeps the momentum going without overstaying its welcome. Tracks like "Come Whore Come Bastard" bring the aggression, while "Forever On The Dark Side" ties everything together with a sense of finality. Even the instrumental bits ("II" and "I") feel intentional, adding layers instead of filler.
So, would I recommend Forever On The Dark Side? Absolutely—if you’re into black metal that doesn’t hold your hand. If you need your music shiny and radio-friendly, nah, this isn’t for you. But if you crave something raw, emotional, and slightly unhinged, give it a spin. Just don’t blame me if you start hearing wolves outside your window afterward.
And hey, fun fact—or maybe not so fun—Hungary seems to have a knack for cranking out bands that sound like they crawled out of nightmares. Makes sense, though, given the country's history. Maybe misery really does breed creativity. Or maybe I’m overthinking it. Either way, props to Shadowthrone Funebre Assur for crafting an album that feels like staring into the void… and liking it.
Final thought: Listening to this album makes me wonder if the band ever gets tired of wearing corpse paint. Like, does their skin breathe okay under all that gunk? Asking for a friend.
