Blackthorn - "Codex Archaos" [2011]

Artist: Blackthorn

Title: Codex Archaos

Genre: Symphonic Metal

Country: Russia
Year: 2011

Track List:

1. Divination in Blood
2. Vehemence Came as Anodyne
3. Nemesis Incarnation
4. Gorgon the Ascendant
5. Emptysis Kiss
6. Arria Marcella
7. Posthumous Passion Ephemera
8. Dismalediction and the Remedy
9. Серебряный Ключ (Silver Key)
10. Hexshadow Turned to Flesh
11. Bestial Satan of Grotesque Beauty
12. The Fading Ceremony

Since I'm continuing to post my favourites in female-fronted metal from the Eastern Europe, let's not go past one of the most well-known all-female metal bands in Russia. Blackthorn were formed in 2004 in Moscow, and released their debut album, "Gossamer Witchcraft", in 2009. After some lineup changes, they released their second (and the last up to date) full-length album "Codex Archaos" in 2011. It differs significantly from their debut. While "Gossamer Witchcraft" was symphonic/gothic metal with some black metal overtones, "Codex Archaos" is certainly more heavier, and has more elements of melodic death metal (even the cover is more suitable for a death metal album than for a gothic one). It has been described as a "dramatic metal", but I don't think we need to invent any new "genres" just for one album.

By the standards of Russian metal scene, "Codex Archaos" is close to 10/10, and even by the world's standards it's no less than 8/10. However a lot of long-term fans of Blackthorn didn't like the sound which the band has presented on "Codex Archaos", compared to their earlier works. Well, that's a matter of personal preferences, but what certainly can't be disputed - this album is very well produced. They even made a video for the song "Hexshadow Turned To Flesh" (which isn't my favourite on "Codex Archaos", though; if I were in their place, I'd rather choose "Emptysis Kiss" or "Vehemence Came As Anodyne"):

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