The Austrian band Summoning started as a trio in
1993, three young men coming together to play
black metal.
Black metal was certainly the order of the day on
their debut Lugburz, but following the
departure of their drummer, the remaining duo
decided to forge a different sound.
The vocals remained (and still remain) a typical
harsh black metal rasp, but the music has blossomed
into a majestic, atmospheric, almost ambient form
of black metal, with simplistic yet effective
keyboards, programmed drums that often sound
more orchestral than typical metal percussion,
and a decidedly medieval-sounding atmosphere
(much of their lyrics are derived from Lord Of
The Rings).
While the mid-period albums build on this style,
it really comes together on the later albums such
as the excellent Stronghold.
Summoning is a fascinating band, one that fans of
traditional black metal as well as doom, gothic,
and ambient metal should find appealing.
