Weakling - Dead As Dreams

Perhaps one of the hidden gems of the US black metal scene, Weakling's one and only album "Dead As Dreams" is a masterpiece in the black metal genre. Originally recorded in 1998, the album remained unheard for two years before tUMULt records finally released it in 2000.

It is hard to imagine that this now defunct band comes from San Francisco; their sound is infinitely more developed and mature than most other fledgling black metal bands in the US scene. The music is fast and blastbeat filled, but epically drawn out, seamlessly morphing onto new territory when the time arises. The entire album plays fluidly from beginning to end. While no track is shorter than 10 minutes, this 76 minute album is hypnotic and trance-inducing, ending always too soon.

My favorite is the 20 minute title track "Dead As Dreams." The slow buildup of sound and guitar melody is gorgeously ethereal. Screams are tortured in agony. Weakling takes its influences from the Norwegian black metal scene but takes these and warps them into something strange, and beautifully tortured. Make no mistake, Weakling sounds like no other. This album is a must have for any fan of black metal.