Peccatum
Strangling From Within (Candlelight)
by Scott Hefflon
There has long been a connection between classical music and metal. Where Ynwgie, Dream Theater, and Fates Warning focused on the prog metal and frilly-shirted side, black metal focused on the darker, almost Gothic side. And with post-metal projects like Therion combining opera, classical, and aggressive music, it was only a matter of time before various intellectuals in black metal understood the limitations of the genre they helped create and expand. And thus we have Peccatum. Formed by Ihriel (a poet, a visionary, and a classically-trained vocalist), her husband Ihsahn (notorious for his vocals, guitar, and bass work in Emperor, perhaps the most progressive black metal band of all), and Ihriel’s brother Lord PZ (classically-trained vocalist and drummer of Source of Tide), Peccatum is a collaboration of creative elements, not a side-project or one-off, but a band in which all members contribute their ideas as well as their musicianship.
(DEI: PO Box 738 Syosset, NY 1179)