CoC : Enthroned - Xes Haereticum : Review

Enthroned - _Xes Haereticum_
(Napalm Records, 2004)
by: Jackie Smit (6 out of 10)

Maybe it's a case of bad timing. After all, in my mind, it was always going to be an uphill battle for any black metal act to out-grim the latest Marduk opus. But then again, Enthroned have never been ones to stand out as anything truly memorable throughout the course of their decade-plus career, and so to call _Xes Haereticum_ an improvement over past attempts isn't saying much. Truthfully though, _Xes Haereticum_ is actually a vast step over the likes of _Carnage in the Worlds Beyond_ and _Armored Bestial Hell_ -- not only in its more biting production, but also in terms of songwriting. "Last Will" and "Vortex of Confusion" as key examples, are hardly the pointless exercises in poker-faced cacophony that this band has become known for -- and anyone who is capable of invoking the sense of sheer pitch darkness and claustrophobia that "A.M.S.G" does deserves kudos in my book. But ultimately, _Xes Haereticum_ proves little else than that a few interesting melodies and a hint of producer's polish do not essential black metal create. For the most part, Enthroned at their best remain soporific. Now, where did I put that copy of _Plague Angel_?

Contact: http://www.enthroned-horde.com

(article published 13/12/2004)

ALBUMS
10/3/2007	Q Kalis	5.5	Enthroned - Tetra Karcist
7/7/1999	P Schwarz	7	Enthroned - The Apocalypse Manifesto
11/19/1998	B Meloon	9	Enthroned - Gothic Disturbance '98
6/7/1998	A Wasylyk	3	Enthroned - Regie Sathanas
4/18/1996	S Hoeltzel	8	Enthroned - Prophecies of Pagan Fire
1/17/1996	G Filicetti	8	Enthroned - Thy Flesh Consumed

DEMOS
6/7/1997	B Meloon	4	Enthroned - Gothic Disturbance
8/12/1995	G Filicetti		Enthroned - Absence of Life

GIGS
1/15/2000	P Azevedo	Marduk / Angelcorpse / Enthroned	Night of the Living Corpses