Watain - Lawless Darkness [2010]

The songwriting is a little more polished. Besides that, not much has changed at all. Good Black Metal effort all around. It is significantly longer than SttD was, though, and that makes it a bit tough to get through in one sitting without getting a bit tired and bored. So, there isn't that much variation, but that's par for the course in this genre. It's still pretty damn exciting, but it's absolutely too long.

Rating: 7.5

http://www.templeofwatain.com/

All ratings are out of 10. Rating may not be a whole number.

Watain - Sworn to the Dark [2007]

Certainly a promising start to what looks to be a very long album. The bass drum finally feels like it has some meat to it. The guitars are still a bit thin, but they fill the space a little with the bass guitar. The vocals are nicely balanced and better sound overall for some reason... and more powerful. "Legions of the Black Light" feels like it has a bit less of that typical Swedish melodic shit to it and more focus on slower, darker, and more purposeful riffs. Just as I was beginning to think that things were getting a little repetitive and boring, "Underneath the Cenotaph" kicks in with an exiting urgency and main riff. Very good all the way through. Some parts feel just a bit drawn out, but they lend atmosphere to the song without being boring. This really feels like blackness has soaked all the way through the album right down through the marrow. The album is only a tad too long and a bit more of the faster high-energy stuff would have been nice as well to break up the dredge of the slower sections.

Rating: 7.75

http://www.templeofwatain.com/

All ratings are out of 10. Rating may not be a whole number.

Watain - Casus Luciferi [2003]

Fairly crappy production. There's no bass at all. The production is clear enough, but it fatigues the ear because of the large amount of treble. The songwriting is pretty damn good, though. It's rare to find a Black Metal band that has such a stock style but still makes it feel energetic and exciting. The excitement keeps up throughout most of the album, pausing only for the occasional doom riff.

Rating: 7

http://www.templeofwatain.com/

All ratings are out of 10. Rating may not be a whole number.

Watain - Rabid Death's Curse [2000]

I know a guy that would say that this is very "organic"... normally I think he's full of shit and say that it's actually shitty playing. Even though that's the case with this album, it manages to capture the charm of the underground and unprepared recording very well. The production isn't bad, it's got sufficient punch and it's fairly full in its sound. "The Limb Crucifix" bounces between typical underground Swedish Black Metal and catchy chorus. Even though "On Horns Impaled" reminds me a lot of Dark Funeral, for some reason it doesn't feel as contrived. Overall, I have a love-hate relationship with Swedish Black Metal. Most of it is pure derivative shite, while a few bands are fucking incredible (see Marduk and Naglfar).

Rating: 7

http://www.templeofwatain.com/

All ratings are out of 10. Rating may not be a whole number.