Almost 15 years have passed since my last contact with the razor-sharp bundle of energy The Delphic Doctrine and TRISTWOOD are still going strong today. Heavily bolting, but by no means chaotic passages are interestingly crossed with subtle electronic vibes, the varied vocals provide additional adrenaline.
The band creates an enraptured and cool atmosphere; the artists only allow us breathing space in marginal moments. Sometimes slightly technoid tendencies appear, for example in the case of the title track, here the musicians reduce the tempo a bit and sound more focused and less hectic, although A Blackcrowned Majesty is also miles away from easy listening; in principle harsh, high-energy extreme metal dominates. Truly hypnotic and danceable, Her Wraith Through Stygonian Lands bewitches the center of movement, only one crowning refrain is missing to full power.
The partly reverberant vocals remind me of Master Tägtgren, as if TRISTWOOD was an explosive extreme version of Pain. The band does many things right, but we don't find it catchy in terms of chorus- or riff-heaviness.
It takes a little time for the listener to come to terms with the cold, deliberately distanced mood, but then Blackcrowned Majesty causes extreme pleasure!