Obliveon - Sept 06 - by Stephan Becker
This is an english translation - original review in german:
http://www.obliveon.de/pn-om/modules.php?op=modload&name=tplcdimport&file=index&req=showcontent&id=8769

With “Thrown Athwart The Darkness” these Black Metallers from the Lille-area are throwing their first full length on the market. But before that they had get some experience with the 2004er Four-Track-Demo „Nothing But Ashes“. From that output they saved 2 – the titletrack from that demo plus „A Pentagram Of Flesh“ - songs for this release, too.

Talking about the production I have not to tell a bad thing. For a band in this stage and with that status they have done a good job. But also judging the songwriting-skulls the french guys should make it in the Black Metal-jungle of these days. Listening precisely you have to admit that Nirnaeth does not play true Black metal. The roots of these french guys are clearly to hear, but they are far away from the stupid Old School-Black Metal of the norwegian way. It´s smart how they manage to throw in elements of death and thrash metal. And vocalist Zigouille doesn´t drown in screams only, overall there´s a fine melodic note/feeling. The riffing of Mutill, one of the two founders, knows how to convince and the 9 tracks on their own have – in opposite to lots of other Black Metal-stuff – this fine alternation.

(Stupid) old School-Die Hard-Black Metal only-listeners should find themselves another highly rated output at for example Myrrthronth, but open minded extreme metal-lovers should give Nirnaeth a try.

note : 7,5 / 10