The black metal scene in the US has been known to be pretty suspect. Very few US black metal bands shine through the haze, and this band contains members of some of those elite few that push the limits of their music. Featuring Wrest (Leviathan and Lurker of Chalice), Malefic (Xasthur), Blake Judd (Nachtmystium), Sanford Parker (Buried at Sea and Minsk), Aaron Turner (Hydra Head records, Isis, Old Man Gloom), Imperial (Krieg), and Stavros Giannopolous (The Atlas Moth), this 'supergroup' was golden from the moment it was conceived. If those names do nothing for ya, you obviously have a lot to learn about good metal. Lucky for you, I'm here to help.
Commissioned by Total Holocaust Records in 2005, the first Twilight record (lineup: Wrest, Malefic, Blake Judd, and Imperial) is quite reminiscent of Leviathan and Xasthur, mostly thrashy and raw, occasionally taking a turn for the atmospheric, and more depressive side of things. An excellent record, and exactly the caliber of music you'd expect from the parties involved. After the self titled release, Malefic left the band, and in 2009 in came Parker and Turner. 2010 saw the release of Twilight's second record, Monument to Time End, which definitely shows the addition of Aaron Turner and Sanford Parker. This time releasing from Southern Lord records, you can hear the evolution of a band that was originally intended to be a "black metal supergroup", into an unstoppable juggernaut of awesome. Much like Isis and newer Nachtmystium, Monument to Time End shows a much stronger focus on blending several styles and approaches to metal music, creating a record that is incredibly engaging and impossible to categorize. If you are into any of the bands I name-dropped, grab these records up, and if you have no idea who any of the bands I name-dropped are, you've got a lot of catching up to do. GET ON IT!
Twilight - Twilight
Twilight - Monument to Time End
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