Napoleonic Symphony Ignited: A Journey into Departure Chandelier’s ‘Antichrist Rise to Power’ – A Black Metal Masterpiece!
Departure Chandelier Review:
The chandelier swings once again delivering a monumental ode to Napoleonic black metal. Combining forces from the USA and Canadian shores, the album ‘Antichrist Rise to Power’ from Departure Chandelier may be some of the finest and memorable black metal to emerge from the corners of darkness.
With band members hailing from such cult acts as Akitsa and Ash Pool you know you’re in for some brilliant shit. This was released originally in 2019 but consistently repressed. Antichrist Rise to Power boasts a captivating raw sound not compromising on catchy hooks and melodic riffage. The same members also strangely have another band called Venusberg Cardinal which they recorded during the same session as Antichrist Rise to Power.
My take on the band’s name, whether right or wrong, seems to stem from the luxurious chandeliers ranging from the 15th to the 18th centuries. Luxurious ceiling pieces which were a signal of power and wealth. Obviously, Napoleon had such chandeliers in his dwellings and in the song simply titled ‘Departure Chandelier’ it reads “looking up towards the chandelier, as the candles burn out, and you want to depart with the smoke and leave this world.”
The style of Departure Chandelier is a form of symphonic tinged black metal, not by any means typical. They are heavy on riffs, tight drumming, and the vocals are not typical snarling traditional black metal vocals. Mix in some great synth keyboards which match up perfectly to passages in the songs and you have a mish mash of a formula that works extremely well.
The LP I purchased from Tour De Garde in Quebec, Canada is the gatefold regular black repress from Nuclear War Now! Productions. Both are solid companies and come highly recommended. The vinyl comes in a beautiful glossy gatefold which includes a poster. The b’ys in the band have a cool shtick going on wearing the black monk-like robes adorned with empty bullet casings holding crosses, chains, and candles. They really play this shit up which is one of the great theatrical elements of black metal. The band members names are Fanalis, Crucifixus, and Viniculum respectively.
There is not one filler track on the record honestly and it runs through quickly at 34-minutes including an intro and outro — I’m not complaining about the length, it’s an absolute original piece of material and a banger of an album. ‘Life Escaping Through the Candles Smoke’ has this catchy synth part mixed with a groovy riff that had me humming and whistling for days. ‘Forever Faithful to the Emperor’ then pummels you with drumbeats till the song gradually switches pace into a groove laden melodic riff fest supported by more echoing synth passages in the background which are beautifully executed.
I love the intro to ‘Catacombs Beneath the Castle Of the Marquis’ which once again rocks out with great hooks, pacing and riffs galore.
The title track ‘Departure Chandelier’ sets forth on a more upbeat approach with a mid-paced intro which transforms into a breakneck blastbeat fest that never lets up. I love the lyrics to this one as I mentioned earlier. The band strives on lyrical imagery around candles, smoke, and other classic imagery. Summing it all up Departure Chandelier are a treat to experience. They offer their own sonic induced, majestic approach with their Napoleonic black metal.
Antichrist Rise to Power is a brilliant excursion into a unique style of blistering black metal by melding otherworldly synth passages, groovy riffs, and tight punchy drumming. I am really excited to see what they bring with their next full-length, Satan Soldier of Fortune. This is one of my favorite records I keep coming back to for repeated listens.
Album Info:
Band: Departure Chandelier
Album: Antichrist Rise to Power
Members: Fanalis, Crucifixus, Vinculum
Year: 2019
Country: USA/Canada
Runtime: 34min 22sec
Label: Nuclear War Now! Productions
Track Listing:
01. Intro (Napoleon’s Sword)
02. Life Escaping Through the Candle’s Smoke
03. Forever Faithful to the Emperor
04. Catacombs Beneath the Castle of the Marquis
05. Departure Chandelier
06. A Sacrifice to the Corsica Antichrist
07. Re-Establish the Black Rule of France
08. Outro (Exile on the Jagged Cliffs of Saint Helena)
