review by: ~Vargscarr~

“A decent English Black/ Death Metal band? Pfffffft...right, and my left nut can predict the coming of the apocalypse, ” would have been my response to anyone trying to tell me about Akercocke before I’d heard them, before I descended into paroxisms of laughter.

After all, what has England given us in either of these genres? Venom are Thrash. Napalm Death and Carcass true enough, but they both lean towards a crustier, punkier, more Grindcore style of Death (yes, even Napalm’s later stuff). Truly evil English bands of the 90s? Most can only think of Hecate Enthroned and Cradle of Filth; perhaps also Reign of Erebus. (how can you forget Bolt Thrower?! - Roberto) And these bands are about as evil as a paramedic who goes through accident victim’s wallets; about as Metal as a fat child’s sock. Extremity is not theirs to flaunt in bars to impress the chicks. They suck a dead dog’s cock, musically speaking.

Naturally one assumes that therefore England is all Metalled out as far as modern, extreme Black and Death goes. But not so! Akercocke are a band I’m proud to call my countrymen. This, their second album, has evil Black Metal, brutal Death Metal, excellent clean vocals comparable to early Ulver and Emperor; astounding technical and musical proficiency tempered with intricate songwriting that still retains its catchiness...This album has everything, even managing to cram in a few masturbating nuns and retaining its credibility.

Solid, consistent, exuding evil from every riff; this band seamlessly blends Black Metal and Death Metal together, truly sounding like either or both rather than one with a touch of the other. Black Metal layered riffs suddenly slip into a crunching Death rhythm with a flailing solo poured on top of the whole; raw-throated screeching giving way to guttural roaring (pausing for a nun break) before suddenly calming into an atmospheric acoustic/synth breather with some well-arranged clean vox and finally breaking into a compulsively head-bang inducing chug, whipping up to a climactic conclusion. That is the formula upon which most tracks are based in a nutshell; but the band maintains a fresh, varied take on their own sound with every song. There is not a bad track on this album, and there are so many moments that link the listener’s mind with bands from Nile to Emperor. Essential for fans of brutal and evil Metal, whether your preference sways towards Black or Death.