Minas Morgul

First of all it is worth noting that the album was produced in 1995, and as many fans of Black Metal will attest, production quality of such recordings at the time seem to have started off on the poorer side of things. However this is not such an example, and Minas Morgul has a clearer aspect to its production that makes it easier on the ear. The album, as do many from the Summoning discography, takes from the work of JRR Tolkien and translates it into a musical format. Try not to think too much about the LoTR OST when you buy this, because the two are worlds apart, not least because the album was devised solely by Protector and Silenius (with due credit to Tolkien too). Think less orchestral, but no less atmospheric. Continuing with the atmospheric theme, the album features a variety of tracks to lose oneself in, from the brief rumbling of 'Orthanc' through to the lengthier 'Passing of the Grey Company', to the quick pace of 'Dagor Bragollach', and the almost chilling melodies of 'Legend of the Master Ring'. Where the album falls down is down mostly to the listener, but this reviewer believes that several of the tracks are forgettable at best, and that the sound is at times a little too reminiscent of keyboard compositions. However these are considerations that do not detract too much from an album that has stood the test of time and established Summoning as unique within the Black Metal genre.

Ok, I've worked my way backwards with this act - from most recent to the earliest. This is a bit raw compared to the later albums, but for 1995 and basically the debut album (in terms of their 'classic' sound) it's a good effort! There are a few things that stand out against the later releases though: The guitar is more upfront, amd much more traditional Black Metal in style - fast, tremolo picking. The vocals are a bit more full on necro (one or two slightly over the top vocal fx that irritate at times!) and the drums; as usual, they are electronically programmed but there is more emphasis on speed and double bass drum styles rather than the marching into battle/martial styles that have become their standard rhythm of choice. There's a lot of synths, and in places they sound a little 'low budget' but again, this was 13 years ago, cash would have been tighter and Symphonic keyboards were still advancing. The ideas are good, even if the sounds are a little too artificial! Don't be put off - Remember the Evil Dead movie, the stop motion FX?? Yes, it was a bit on the cheap side BUT it worked - same with the keyboards here! There's one part where the guitars, drums & vocals are all at full pelt with the keyboards sounding really euphoric (a bit like Satyricon's Mother North) and it almost sounded like a Black Metal Rave! And I mean that in a good way! We really are deep into Middle Earth lyrically, and it's the darker places mostly, your Mordor's and Isengard's etc! What Summoning do very well is to achieve the FEELING of Tolkien & I must admit it's difficult to not think of the Peter Jackson movies despite this being a good 5 years prior. I guess, that's a compliment to Summoning, that they inspire such imagery! It does dissapoint me that they NEVER include lyrics on the CD sleeves! You can find them on Encyclopedia Metallum but it's a pain! They are worth looking up as it's good, well researched material. The production is very good for an indie (Napalm) release. Where Summoning have improved a lot since Minas Morgul, is that the songwriting is a lot more focused & cohesive. One or two tracks kind of wind up their own backside at times but this was all part of the learning process. Still a lot of good music here though! Basically, this isn't a starter album - I'd recommend Oath Bound or Let Mortal Heroes Sing Your Fame - and it's certainly been bettered since, but I reckon it's better than where Dimmu Borgir were at in 1995 (another of my favs, and Dimmu fans should like Summoning) and it's a must for the Summoning collection, if you are building one. 3 stars is a bit harsh, because I enjoyed it - but I've rated all the others at 4 stars (a couple are actually closer to 5, me thinks now) and they all have the edge on this so I've gotta be mean!

minas morgul meaning tower of black magic as adapted from the lord of the rings books is the second album by austrian black metal outfit and continues their obsession with the lord of the rings and is a difficult album to fully appreciate on some levels as while black metal in definition the band throw in some very original sounds into the mix such as music you would expect in ancient times,such as music that would be played when a king was entering a building,hard to describe for sure but its an ecclectic mix for sure.The vocal style is pure black metal and the guitars have a necro sound but at times the keyboards take offer along with various other instruments so it isnt straight forward black metal by any means. The album isnt perfect,at times its overdone and the songs lose their sparkle 8 minutes into them for example and thats a shame but tracks like 'the passing of the grey company', 'orthanc'and the spine tingling 'the legend of the master-ring' have plenty of brilliant moments within,this is an album that may change the meaning of black metal if you think there is only one way to perform it.

Summoningの中でも最高!マジやばい! ピアノやキーボードのメロディーが美しすぎる! マジ神だろ 特に9、10曲目がオススメ 多彩な音がたまらないです 日本でもっと知名度があがるべきバンドだと思います

el servicio de Amazon ya lo conoceis es rápido y eficaz El album es de los mejores de la banda y uno que debe estar en tu coleccion personal si eres verdadero seguidor del Black Metal

Un disco straordinario per atmosfera, composizione, riffing e arrangiamento. Nel suo essere "casalingo", ha forgiato un suono nuovo, un marchio di fabbrica talmente unico e riconoscibile che da allora in poi sarà croce e delizia sia per gli imitatori che (in parte) per gli stessi Summoning. Non sottovalutate il resto della loro discografia, compreso il primo Lugburz che già presentava qualche accenno di questo inconfondibile sound, ma Minas Morgul è un pezzo che chiunque dovrebbe avere ASSOLUTAMENTE nella propria collezione! Ristampa ufficiale su CD a cura della Napalm Records, pressochè identica alla prima tiratura sia nell'estetica che nel mastering.

Great CD, arrived earlier than expected, case and disc in perfect condition, would buy from this seller again!!

The best Atmospheric Black Metal album of all times.