| CD REVIEW Horned Almighty |
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Band: Horned Almighty Danish storm-troopers of Horned Almighty return with their fourth full length. The band was originally formed in 2002 by S (aka Simon ‘Smerte’ Petersen, the guy behind Exmortem, Mareridt, Tronraner or Lustration) and Hellpig (aka Soth aka Svindsot; real name: Bjorn Bihlet, involved with Koldborn, Pogrom, Tronraner, Hellsermon, Mareridt etc) as a side-project to their other bands. Yet soon it got clear that Horned Almighty wouldn’t continue as ‘just a side-combo’, but as a long-term entity. Some demos, a 7”EP and a split (To The Lord Our Lives, released through Hearse Records on vinyl, re-released on CD through Moribund Records shortly after) were done during the first half of this century, soon after followed by the release of the full length debut, Black Metal Jesus (through Infernus Rex again). Some more albums followed (also a live-album is part of Horned Almighty’s discography), all of them highly acclaimed in the international press (and audience), and well-appreciated live performances took place all over Europe. Earlier this year the quartet (S - v, Aries - g, Hellpig - b, and Harm - d) entered the Dead Rat Studio with Hatesphere’s Jacob Bredahl, who did some mixing duties before for bands from, especially, the Hardcore/ Metalcore/ whatever-core-scene, as well as some heavier Metal bands – think Panzerchrist, Zero Mentality, Resistance, Leng T’che, Koldborn etc. The result lasts for thirty six minutes and brings what we could expect: merciless, pounding and angry Necro-Black with some nasty Death/ Thrash injections. What strikes me is the massive, colossal sound, rough and powerful at the same time. This fact only is so splattering, lifting Necro Spirituals up to the most infernal level of morbidity. The individual compositions too have been written and performed with a splattering, necrotic aggression. The technical tracks aren’t that varying (except for the tempo, which goes from pretty slow over mid-tempo to lightning fast), but this might be the only negative remark on Necro Spirituals – or on Horned almighty in general (it’s the same sickness that happened before, I’m afraid). Because the core (performance and structural details) of this band’s music is of a high quality. Because it is primitive yet professionally produced at the same time. Because the atmosphere is suffocating and oppressing. Because, because, because… I won’t admit that Necro Spirituals is Horned Almighty’s strongest album to date. That’s up to you. But I’m obliged to express my passion for this kind of music(k), and if combined with craftsmanship (which certainly is the case right here), I cannot but recommend it, can I?! 82/100 Ivan Tibos. |
