AMOR FATI

Compared with their debut PECCATUM's second longplayer "Amor Fati" (named after an expression by Friedrich Nietzsche and meaning "love your fate") is a tap more accessible and could be considered as a good starting point for the ones who are new to this band. In fact incidentally it was as well the first one by them I owned and it fascinated me quite a lot in the beginning I've to say because the music on here was that much different from anything else I've heard so far. But retrospectively I've to admit it's in a way inferior to "Strangling From Within" coming close to some gothic metal at times (which isn't bad necessarily). Basically the tracks on here are varying from quite heavy black metal riffing combined with violin play, multi-layered symphonic keys and at times very theatrical operatic vocals (male and female). But unlike with most symphonic-type gothic metal bands with "beauty-and-the-beast"-type of vocals (i.e. Nightwish) songs here are mostly composed rather intricately and thus might sound a bit angular and bumpy at first listen. Probably this isn't a record at all most dark metal fans will fall in love with right from the first listening. But taking its title literally if you think such kind of adventurous music is your fate you should probably love it. Not essential but recommended to all those fellows for whom EMPEROR's music is too simplistic and rough (like me) and worth of 3 stars I would say!