Legacy of Emptiness – Legacy of Emptiness

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Legacy of Emptiness are a symphonic black metal band, a statement that by itself should conjure comparisons with Dimmu Borgir. Of course, Legacy of Emptiness actually do sound like Dimmu Borgir, albeit circa Enthrone Darkness Triumph. This isn’t really a bad thing of course – Dimmu have long since moved on from this sound for better or for worse, leaving others such as Legacy of Emptiness to fill their old shoes. Besides, despite their similarities Legacy of Emptiness inject a fair amount of the unexpected – perhaps a better comparison would be Dimmu Borgir, as played by Nachtmystium. This is dark but highly melodic black metal, with most of the melody driven by gothic-sounding keyboards. The focus is much more on atmosphere than it is on heaviness, just like those Legacy can be compared to, with a cold, desolate feel just right for black metal. There are some unusual moments that make the album intriguing. Valley of Unrest spaces out into full on atmospherics midway through its playtime. The piano parts of Whispering Voices, an otherwise straight forward black metal number, sound almost jovial and in conflict with the mood of the album. The same could be said for the genuine rock organ present on black-metal-does-classic-rock track Onwards. The songs are well crafted, with melodic hooks that don’t distract from the atmosphere, and a production that perfectly suits the band’s sound. Legacy of Emptiness will not appeal to black metal purists, but given that this breed of black metal has long since been embraced by a larger fanbase, Legacy of Emptiness should find themselves appreciated by many.

Written by James Donovan
More: 2011, Albums, Black Metal, Quick.Play Reviews, Symphonic, Legacy of Emptiness