Xandelyer is a one man German Black metal with only a short thirteen minute demo comprising of two introductions and two songs. Though at first sight one would expect a raw mess of amateur incompetence, Upheaval of Medieval Darkness avoids that for a short yet narrative experience
Long tremolo picked melodies reminiscent of the bands that emerged at the tail of the LLN movement are the main vehicle of expression here. The melodies are all self contained and follow similar rhythms throughout that make the transitions seamless. What stops the music from droning are the stark contrasts melodically. Each song has its main riff that is followed by a discreet synth line that enriches it. Opposing riffs work in a complementary role to the the main riffs creating tension that is only resolved when the main riff returns. The intros are closely tied to the actual songs and do more than just set the mood as they form an overarching statement that combines both songs. “The Moulting at a Leper Lord” has a powerful climax that is the culmination of the entire record and slowly drifts off to the satisfying conclusion.
Upheaval of Medieval Darkness gambles on eschewing the lo-fi aesthetics that plague short demos like this and uses the running time to essentially craft one long composition that is dividing into succeeding chapters of simple yet finely crafted Black metal.
