Customer Reviews

Carelian Satanist Madness

5 star:		(1)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

This is absolutely essential Finnish Black MeTal. This is "primitive" (in that it is not a whirlwind of technical, blizzard-like riffs and drumming), but not exactly crepitatingly "nekro", either. The production is quite sharp and clear (gasp!), though it was done entirely via 4-track. This is for those of you who wish the "old classics" were recorded with a better sound, rather than the dear old murky ca-coffin-y usually associated with the origins of BM. BUT, this is no slick studio job, either. The guitars are thick buzzsaws of sonic terror, and the (REAL!) drums are powerful pestilential poundings. The vocals are quite typical BM style, but performed with palpable conviction...if I had to compare, I'd say Maniac's (Mayhem) less experimental work, but not as yowling or throaty? Why, one can even hear BASS in some of this...as well as a very tasteful smattering of keyboards, that appear as ghostly but integral(except for the brilliant last track, which is all creaky pipe organ and eerie, whispered vocals!). Sounds like a good recipe so far, right? Well, a few bands have that recipe, but what they DON'T have is Satanic Warmaster's RIFFS AND SONGS!!! There are many exciting riffs combined in arrangements that make almost every part of this album memorable. Not much rippingly chainsaw fast, and there are a few slower, funerary passages, but just plain quality and INTERESTING riffs, all within the context of pretty basic BM framework. There is not one Mayhem, Darkthrone, or Emperor album that has this high of a percentage of great songs(in my opinion, of course). Speaking of Mayhem, one of the songs on this album is a peculiar "homage" to "Deathcrush", though it does not copy the structure entirely...you'll hear which one I mean! Despite the grimness of this album, there is an exuberance and conviction audible that equates to a form of joy, a celebration of TRUE Black MeTal, that the listener will share in. I need not warn any politically correct namby pambies that there are themes on here that may offend such "people"...because have you ever met a PC namby pamby who listens to BM? I almost forgot to mention that the lyrics are at times really cool, albeit clearly written as a second language; grotesque, gruesome, and artistically dark. This is not only for the BM elite, because perhaps contrary to Satanic Warmaster's intent, this can be enjoyed by anyone who likes great, heavy (raw) music. Accessible? Doubtful. Excellent? NO doubt! And, as a final bit of praise: it has a song called "Eaten By Rats".