"Unholy Crusade" was the third album by Swedish Black Metal band LORD BELIAL, originally released in 1999. Finally more than 20 years later, Floga Records, presents a rerelease on CD of the genre classic.
In the intricate tapestry of black metal's early days, two dominant archetypes emerged: the philosopher and the soldier. While some bands embraced ideological depth and contemplative themes, others, like Sweden's Marduk, charged forward as unabashed soldiers in the metal realm. Lord Belial, however, navigated a unique path, blending the musical aggression of a soldier with the lyrical and visual elements of an ideologue. This dynamic shifted with the release of "Unholy Crusade," a record that initially leans towards death metal aesthetics and introduces a horde of undead soldiers engaged in battle.
"Unholy Crusade" isn't a relentless war cry, but it undeniably wields its musical sword with greater intensity than its predecessors. The opening instrumental, "Summon The Legions," immediately thrusts listeners into a death metal-infused soundscape, complete with the cacophony of weapons clashing. The title track erupts into a furious onslaught, mirroring the frenzied aggression akin to Marduk, yet retaining Lord Belial's lingering melodic essence. Notably, the album showcases technical brilliance reminiscent of mid-'80s thrash, featuring impressive lead guitar displays rarely found in the third wave of black metal.
While maintaining its warrior ethos, "Unholy Crusade" introduces a more guitar-oriented production and a return to the chunky bass sound from "Kiss The Goat." Despite the overtly aggressive approach, traces of Lord Belial's nuanced mix of beauty and rage surface on tracks like "Death Is The Gate" and "Divide Et Empira." The latter, with its droning Viking character and pristine acoustic guitar lines amid a vicious assault, pays homage to Immortal's "Blizzard Beasts."
While "Enter The Moonlight Gate" may be slightly more memorable, "Unholy Crusade" stands as a testament to Lord Belial's versatility. It caters to those seeking heightened aggression and challenges the brutality of Sweden's death metal scene, maintaining a delicate balance between catchiness and melody, reminiscent of Dissection, while embracing the raw intensity akin to Grave and Dismember. Lord Belial, akin to a wizard wielding a sword, demonstrated their ability to dispatch foes through both musical complexity and sheer brutality on this album.
