Band: Anaal Nathrakh
Title: In The Constellation Of The Black Widow
Label: Candlelight Records
Distribution: Plastic Head Distribution
Release date: 29/06/2009
Review: CD

The U.K. has always played an important role within the international Death and Grind-scene. Since the early years, the British Island house superb formations that changed and directed the worldwide vision on extreme musick. This goes for the past, of course (the list of bands would be too large…), yet also for the current scene. And one of the best bands nowadays in extremity is, without any doubt, Anaal Nathrakh, a formation with Dave Hunt aka V.I.T.R.I.O.L. (of Benediction and Mistress-fame) and Mick Kenney aka Irrumator (e.g. Frost, Mistress, Fukpig, Fog etc.). In the past, this duo worked with guest musicians as Sethlans ‘Kremator’ Teitan (Dissection, Watain, Bloodline), Danny Herrera (Napalm Death, Venomous Concept), Shane Embury (Napalm Death, Lockup, Unseen Terror, Venomous Concept, Brujeria etc.), Attila Csihar (Tormentor, Mayhem, Aborym, Korog amongst others), Nick Barker (Testament, Dimmu  Borgir, Cradle Of Filth, Lockup, …), Frank Healy (Benediction, Cerebral Fix, Sacrilege) and Joe Horvath (Circle Of Dead Children).
This fifth album is comparable to all former material, yet again the evolution is not human. Anaal Nathrakh surpass all existing borders, they redefine genius and ferocity, they rewrite Death Metal’s history with innocents’ blood. The schizophrenic and grinding terroristic attacks are blasting fast and built upon a technical groove. All of them convince with a necrotic and misanthropic atmosphere and a sharp, ominous and mechanical sound. It is rather unusual to hear such an inventive creation that succeeds to combine deepness with ruination. Besides, more than once Anaal Nathrakh surprise with on-turning brain- and ear-food, like the few epic and melodious parts (with clean vocals), some intelligently composed breaks and tempo-changes, and that overwhelming Armageddon-possession.
This is one of the most extreme recordings in years, yet at the same time a gargantuan one!
Duration: 34:39 minutes.

90/100

Ivan Tibos.