IXXI – Elect Darkness

Releasedate: 16-03-2009; Label: Candlelight Records
By: Sabine van Gameren

IXXI is a Swedish black metal formation. The band released their third full length “Elect Darkness” via Candlelight Records.
As many of us might have learned in high school IXXI are Roman numbers and stand for 9/11. The band formed in 2006. IXXI is darker than black but still the darkness is hitting on some more shiny genres. Modern influences, groove influences. It is there. What the band is aiming about lyrically is not too hard to guess since I spoiled it already by telling about the name. As bands of reference I can mention Satyricon or Celtic Frost. The band is not having a lot of exceptional elements in it, no real big surprises but over all it is a nicely arranged album. Probably my most favorite song on the album is “A Bitter Lesson” which is slow and almost atmospheric. A nice one to close the album with.

I am not completely sure about the buyers advice for this album. I would put it on the list, just for the fact that I like their lyrical themes and the shiny parts on it, but I don’t think it would be on top of the list. As the financial crisis is beating even the biggest music lovers I hope they won’t fall of the list completely.

Line Up:
Totalscorn – Vocals
Acerbus – Guitar
Nattdal – Guitar
Avsky – Bass

Tracklist: 1. Underworld 2. Western Plagues 3. Southern Tribes 4. Sinrush 5. Beyond the Rupture 6. Elect Darkness 7. Enthusiasm 8. Eastern Minions 9. Northern Floods 10. Vindicator 11. A Bitter Lesson

Links:
IXXI MySpace
IXXI Official