Illustrations of mediocrity
Compilations can various purpouses. Some are merely a collection of a band's best efforts, while others yet portray a group's evolution, tracking their progression through styles or as songwriters. While most ambient black metal isn't normally associated with change and transformation bands within the genre obviously aren't immune to progression and stylistic change.
"Deviator may be a slight overstatement though, as Lord Hastner's music rarely deviates from any genre tropes."
Ukranian black metal musician Dmitry "Lord Hastner" Kundelskiy has since 2007 explored musicianship with his project Deviator, with "Way of Warriors - Hymn to Immortals" summing up the first four years of his endeavor. Deviator may be a slight overstatement though, as Lord Hastner's music rarely deviates from any genre tropes. Joined by other musicians like Moloch's Sergiy Fjordsson, drummer/bassist/keyboardist Valentin Emperor and others throughout the various releases, Deviator is hardly just a one-man band, but instead utilises the talents of others to adequately portray Lord Hastner's own songwriting.
"Way of Warriors" gives a fair impression of Deviator's brand of ambient-laden black metal, and depicts songwriting that in itself is rather straight forward, but also achieves what it sets out to do. Deviator has a gloomy strength taking a hold over the listener and satisfies with a broad spectrum of styles infused into the musical core of black metal, but never fully comes into its own to leave behind tradition.
Deviator's transition from ambient black metal to a more death metal-influenced style is one of the fun aspects of the compilation. Lord Hastner proves that he's not just a one trick pony and that he can adapt. "Way of Warriors" is if nothing else at least consistently alright. But some annoyances, like guitars and drums playing different speeds, mucks up the compositions and flow, and subtracts from what enjoyment there was to be had.
"Way of Warriors" gives a fair impression of Deviator's brand of ambient-laden black metal, and depicts songwriting that in itself is rather straight forward, but also achieves what it sets out to do. Deviator has a gloomy strength taking a hold over the listener and satisfies with a broad spectrum of styles infused into the musical core of black metal, but never fully comes into its own to leave behind tradition.
Deviator's transition from ambient black metal to a more death metal-influenced style is one of the fun aspects of the compilation. Lord Hastner proves that he's not just a one trick pony and that he can adapt. "Way of Warriors" is if nothing else at least consistently alright. But some annoyances, like guitars and drums playing different speeds, mucks up the compositions and flow, and subtracts from what enjoyment there was to be had.
6/10
Released in 2011 by Glorious North Productions
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What did you think about Deviator's "Way of Warriors - Hymn to Immortals"?
Glorious North Productions OFFICIAL SITE
Follow TONEwood on Facebook for daily updates!
What did you think about Deviator's "Way of Warriors - Hymn to Immortals"?
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