| CD REVIEW Susperia |
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Band: Susperia My acquaintance with this Norwegian band going back to the 2001 debut album Predominance, an album which was primarily characterized by its Black Metal influences…and one which shoùld’ve been reviewed by my specialized collegue Ivan back then! So, I kinda wondered why my editor-in-chief had put their lastest album in my to-do case. As it turns out, Susperia have gradually changed their musical approach over the length of their ensuing releases [2002’s Vindication, 2004’s Unlimited (these first two co-produced by the band and Peter Tägtgren at his old Abyss Studios…and released through Nuclear Blast), 2005’s mini-album Devil May Care, and 2007’s Cut From Stone (the latter two in co-production with Marius Strand of Black Comedy…and all three issued through Tabu Recordings)], with a steady deminishing of the Extreme Metal elements in favour for an increasing Thrash Metal sound! It’s significant for the band’s coherance, that in all that time there hasn’t even been a line-up change, which still consists of founders Tjodalf (akà Kenneth Äkesson, drums, formerly of Dimmu Borgir and Old Man’s Child – other bands: Black Comedy, Requiem) and Cyrus (real name Terje Andersen, guitarist, also formerly of Old man’s Child, Satyricon, Crownfall, Sensa Anima, Sarke, and Dimmu Borgir), plus singer Athera [akà Päl Mathisen, whom can show tenures with Vanaheim (where he drummed), Metadox, Ringnevold, plus Mortem and Arcturus], second guitarist Elvorn (known in real life as Christian Hagen, activity roster includes Ringnevold, Vanaheim, and Vidder) and bassist Menmock (or Häkon Didrikssen, who’s curriculum vitae includes tenures with Metadox, Old Man’s Child, Vanaheim, Lost in Time, and Black Comedy)! Actually, Susperia was originally named Seven Sins and recorded the Illusions Of Evil demo under that name (with a line-up addition of keyboardist Mustis (or Öyvind Mustafarta, who’d played with Vidder and Dimmu Borgir). They then found out their name was already taken, and changed it to Susperia, inspired by horror movie Suspiria (the small difference to avoid copyright issues)…consequently re-issuing the demo under their new name! The band has had its setbacks, like financial constraints preventing the band to visit the US both in 2007 and 2008 to promote the Cut From Stone album (which obviously cut down the sales over there), and the recent heart-attack suffered by frontman Athera on March 6 of last, but they’ve also had a steady growing of their fanbase in Europe thanks to touring (several gigs with W.A.S.P.) in that period. The bonds within the band only grew stronger, the band members remaining commited to their music! Even on the newest album, the Extreme Metal elements haven’t completely vanished, as you will be able to hear from listening to the vocals in tracks like “Sick Bastard” or “Mr. Stranger” (which starts off as a ballad but then grows in intensity). Stylistically, the Thrash is rather modern too…with often poundingly low bass and machine-gun drumming…and of the Melodic kind overall! But overall Athera’s singing is closer to a melodic Thrash style…without completely losing its aggression, even if he’s got his clean moments! In 2005 Allmusic.com described the band’s music as “…a blend of Thrash Metal drawing on influences that include Sepultura, Anthrax, and Testament…their songs are melodic yet intense and forceful, and shredding guitars are the rule…!”…and since then the band has only continued to develop in a positive way, making both melody and aggression virtues that live together in utter harmony! I have to say, what with recording & production again handled by the band and Marius Strand (at Strand Studio and Studio Cyrus in Norway), and the mixing done by Hendrik Udd and Fredrik Nordström (at Studio Fredman in Sweden), the band has ensured itself of the fattest sound possible! The release date only 3 weeks away at the moment of writing, there’s no songs off the new album posted yet at myspace.com/susperiafans, nor will you be able to find any at the band’s own website susperia.net…but at the two combined you càn find a total of 6 original Susperia songs and a cover of W.A.S.P.’s “Wild Child” (from the Devil May Care EP)…giving the reader who’s unfamiliar with the band a somewhat representative sonic picture. Although frontman Atheera is still somewhat recovering from a tripple by-pass operation, the band has not moved plans to tour the UK with Breed 77 from 18 to 28 May. After that…who knows at this juncture? Meanwhile, I have to confess this album is growing on me with each listening session I’m giving it, and it’s getting close to being nominated into my year-lists…but not quite! I guess what I’m missing is some harmony backing vocals! That would’ve really catapulted Attitude into my “Best Albums Of 2009”-lists! 91/100 Tony. |