Review DARK FUNERAL “Dark Funeral” (30th anniversary edition)

Dark Funeral belong to the second wave of black metal bands. Formed in the early 90’s, the band released their first EP in 1994. “Dark Funeral” was the title of this four-track release, which left its first blackened mark and became a springboard for the band. To celebrate the 30th anniversary of this first achievement, Dark Funeral re-recorded the EP with the current line-up, which includes in addition to founding member Lord Ahriman also Chaq Mol, Heljarmadr, Adra-Melek and Jalomaah.

At the time, recording and releasing this first EP was an investment fpr the band in time and money. It was worth the effort when you look at what the band has accomplished in three decades. The new versions of classics like “Open The Gates” and the raging “My Dark Desire” show the quality of those early songs and now, benefiting from modern technology, the tracks show a new hellish glaze. None of the tracks have lost any of their fascination. Of course, the original EP sounds rough around the edges and has that devilish underground charm. Dark Funeral don’t even try to copy this, which is a good idea because it would have ended in failure. Instead, the new versions sound powerful and come with a very dense sound, which is in line with the latest studio work of the Swedes. And of no doubt, the original songs are part of this release too.

The 30th anniversary version of “Dark Funeral” shows how good some of the black metal songs from the early 90s still are. Listening to this EP is like transporting that time into the here and now, and none of the tracks have lost that hellish fever over a span of three decades.