Ceremonial Castings - Barbaric is the Beast

Ceremonial Castings are a one of the most defining Black Metal bands, if not Heavy Metal bands, and one of only bands to play decent symphonic Black Metal.

Though nowadays, the symphonic Black Metal genre is overcrowded by substandard clone bands, that play more of symphonic metal than anything, since early 1996 the band Ceremonial Castings have produced several legendary full-length albums.

By the first album of 2002, Into the Black Forest of Witchery, the band had already made a mark into becoming one of the most influential Black Metal bands of all times.

To date, their most notable release was of 2006 : Barbaric is the Beast, which was featured in second position in the top 15 black metal albums of all times.

Barbaric is the Beast - 5/5

The first track starts out with some squelching synth work, followed by a complicated drum pattern while the lead kicks in. Follows a fast session of blast-beats accompanied by memorable riffs that contribute to the epic feeling accompanying this song.
The second part changes drastically, the tempo slows down momentarily, a mixture of disturbing bells can be heard, and the whole lead gets a bit atmospheric.
Finally, amazing guitar riffs kick in on a great Black Metal rhythm. Definitively classic.

World Unsanctification - 4.75/5

This track might be hard to get into, as it is... original, to say the least. Not only does it carry an unconventional song structure, but everything seems bizarre about it, from the drumming to the crazy sung vocals. But once you get into it, you'll have it spin at least as many times as any other Black Metal song.
For the first 40 seconds, the song debuts with an ostentatious combination of guitars and synthesizers. The the vocals kick in. They are chanted, almost in an operatic way.
Once again, the second half of the track changes drastically the mood of the song. It gets real slow and atmospheric, and even evinces weird carillon noises, before fading away in a blizzard of evil riffs.

Death Worship Propaganda - 4.5/5

Little to say about this one. Starting out with a very technical drum feast courtesy of Blood Hammer, followed by some intriguing riffs.
You can immediately notice that this track has a heavier and harder metal feeling than the preceding ones. Another interesting use of choirs, to accompany the main riff throughout the song.
A very decent track, that maintains the mood of the album Barbaric is the Beast.

Our Journey Through Forever - 5/5

Most epic Black Metal song ever. Yet another classic, which is also the longest track of the album (13:38).
It marks for most the apogee of the masterpiece Barbaric is the Beast, and sums up pretty much the mood of this album : evil and epic.
The riffs are contently changing, while maintaining the same atmosphere to the song which is pretty remarkable. The vocals themselves are both raspy and brutal, while conveying the same sinister feeling to the track.
Near one third of the song, the mood instantly changes to some very ambient yet intense aura of malevolence.
The guitar work is phenomenal and combines both extreme technicality with catchy hypnotic riffs.
The track ends on an instrumental note.

The Fall Of Man - 4.5/5

I guess this is what you hear when you die. First of all the synth intro and outro are brilliantly epic and more than a little impressive. That's what saved this track from a medium 4.
More or less, this is a solid track with a constant pace and a nice vocal work by Lord Serpent.
The synths combined to the guitar leads confer an epic and profound feeling to this track.

From Men to Dust - 4.75/5

An instrumental masterpiece, that is also the shortest song of the album. This track starts out with a long and melancholic keyboard intro, before a more diabolic lead feeds in.

Prophets of the Profane - 4.5/5

This one gets right to it, straight up with the blast-beats and distorted guitars above the squelching keyboards.
At times sounding like some brutal Cannibal Corpse, it conveys a feeling of despair and still a mysterious vibe completing the mood of this album. On the second half of the song starts a majestic high-pitched interlude, which will also serve as an outro.
A very solid track.

A Thousand Fires - 4.75/5

I Am Of Fire, We Are Of Fire, Fire Eternal, Fire Is Death !
A more melodic track, yet gruesome and macabre to the very end. The main riff is propagated through different background noises, and the choirs mixed to the insane guitar lead in the second half make this track a big classic amongst the genre.

Speak In Tongues - 4/5

Once again it, it starts with a very ostentatious guitar lead filled with sweeping and solos.
A fairly decent track, way above the traditional Black Metal tune, but not as good in my opinion as the other Barbaric is the Beast songs.
Nevertheless it has great atmosphere and the demonic growls by Lord Serpent at the middle of the track are insane.

When Wolves Desire - 5/5

Classic indeed. Starts out with a synthesizer mix, then move on to a screechy black riff. And eventually, more amazing leads by the guitars. This song is like a gold mine.
Finally, the outro is epic beyond perception.

Sweet Misery I Forsee - 5/5

Classic once more. This final track starts out with a short keyboard establishment before some ingenious clean guitar setup, to the sound of a native American flute.
The electric instruments kick in and starts a blizzard of unholy desolation.
Near the ends emerges and interlude of clean guitar and bass, then it returns to the brutal blizzard of darkness to end in a sublime outro.

Ceremonial Castings were part of the very few underground Black Metal bands that could combine a raw and evil atmosphere with cold melodies.

Some might argue that their preceding album, Immortal Black Art, was more inspirational than this one due to its innovative qualities.

If you read French you can find out more about Ceremonial Castings here.