Review: Sorrowstorm – Triune Eminence
Ambitious. If there’s one word I’d use to describe Sorrowstorm’s return after over a decade of silence, it’s definitely that one. Known as one of the pillars of unblack metal, Panama’s Sorrowstorm is the solo project of Felipe Diez III, whose name is well-known in the Christian metal underground as the mastermind behind a multiplicity of extreme metal bands, including Rehumanize, Encryptor and Northern Ash.
If you’re expecting Sorrowstorm’s latest album, Triune Eminence, to be anything like its early material, think again. In some ways, I suppose I should have seen this coming more than I did. The remastered and remixed 2021 version of Onward added a sense of Emperor-esque symphonic elements to the mix (that, I must say, 100% worked), and the teaser EP released the same year, Epoch of Exile, had a different, more melodic feel to it. Cue the grandiose storm clouds of Triune Eminence, released shortly after in 2022.
Triune Eminence picks up where Epoch of Exile left off, surging ahead with an even fuller sound. Fans of older Sorrowstorm will immediately notice a different approach, one more reliant on symphonic and progressive black metal. Whereas the material of Onward draws very much from the classic 90’s second-wave sounds of everything from early Satyricon to early Marduk, Triune Eminence almost completely jettisons it all in favour of a new approach that belies a whole new set of influences – Borknagar, ICS Vortex-era Dimmu Borgir, Dawnbreaker and (as Felipe has mentioned somewhere, I believe), Arcturus. While the black metal vocals are actually nastier, they are often overtaken or replaced by Felipe’s new clean vocals and singing, giving the album a very epic viking metal-esque feel. There are moments of sublime beauty, such as heard on “Logos Ascending” and “Man of Woes” that absolutely soar on this record. Felipe’s multi-instrumental skill is beyond apparent on this, comparable to that of Jordan Varela’s of In-Conquered. In terms of execution, this is accomplished stuff. As per usual, the lyrics are Biblically-based, poetic and introspective; “Logos Ascending” in particular discusses personal struggle and conversion with open-hearted conviction. I’ve always found Felipe’s lyrics to be quite deep, showcasing both a learned and thoughtful approach within what I think is a Reformed theological perspective.
Though Triune Eminence is both well-produced, well-written and well-executed, I do find myself struggling with the album somewhat. I would certainly say that if you are one of those people who thinks all black metal sounds like gremlins hitting tin cans and snarling, you’re going to be in for a huge shock here. Triune Eminence is indeed ferocious black metal, but it is very heavily-infused with an obviously progressive and symphonic approach. Those who prefer their black metal more raw and lean might not enjoy this one as much as they did records like Onward. That, and as good as Felipe’s singing is, I guess it’s just not my thing. These are just personal quibbles though, and if you like the sounds of bands like later Emperor, Borknagar and Marble Tomb, you’ll absolutely love this.
For Fans Of: Arcturus, Marble Tomb, Borknagar, Dimmu Borgir, Dawnbreaker, Emperor (later), Drottnar, Vaakevandring
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