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Anaal Nathrakh is a band that has come a long way. Over the course of their 5 albums, they have evolved from something resembling black metal, to something completely indescribable. You cannot label this as anything, except for maybe Extreme Metal, but that doesn't say much. There are elements of Black and Death Metal, but to call them either would be a diservice.
This is frantic, brutal and beyond intense, yet despite being faster than most bands out there, bordering on chaos and noise, it manages to be extremely epic and melodic. Dave Hunt's screams, growls and soaring clean passages are better than ever and is a testament to how versatile he is.
On 'Oil Upon the Sores of Lepers' Zeitgeist Memento (Repvblic) joins Dave in the growling department, delivering some really brutal vocal work that fit the music well.
Mick Kenney has outdone himself once more. There are a lot more melodies, something that befits this band extremely well, but it's still as brutal as ever. The drums are programmed, but I honestly couldn't tell, if it weren't for the fact that it's been pointed out to me. It's easy to tell that a lot of work went into making it sound real. Well, as real as any other band who uses triggers but still employs actual drummers.
All the songs on this album is absolutely killer, except for 'I Am the Wrath..', it isn't melodic or epic compared to the rest of the album and as such, it stands out.
Overall, this album is their strongest and most epic yet. Unless a miracle happens and they release another album this year, then this gets my vote for Album of the Year.
My only gripe with this album is that it is too short, clocking in at only 32 minutes, making it their shortest full-length yet.
A second opinion by Argus
I admit right up front: I had never heard Anaal Nathrakh before this album, and that was at the behest of Daniel. I am now grateful that I heeded his advice. This album really is a bang-up job all around. It is ironically epic; it's ironic because of the fact that it sounds epic, yet the longest (and eponymous) track is a mere 4:45 in length. The screams sound genuinely disturbed, as if no good will come of what he was feeling. However, perhaps the oddest thing, for me, about this album, were the clean vocals - they rule. They're forceful, yet not virtuosic, and that fact is ostensibly beknown, making it all the better. To categorise it, one could come fairly close by saying Industrial-Black Metal; this is, however, somewhat of a misnomer, as most bands from that sub- (and I mean sub) genre suck.
The longer you wait to pick this album up, the greater will be your sense of regret.
A second opinion by Argus
I admit right up front: I had never heard Anaal Nathrakh before this album, and that was at the behest of Daniel. I am now grateful that I heeded his advice. This album really is a bang-up job all around. It is ironically epic; it's ironic because of the fact that it sounds epic, yet the longest (and eponymous) track is a mere 4:45 in length. The screams sound genuinely disturbed, as if no good will come of what he was feeling. However, perhaps the oddest thing, for me, about this album, were the clean vocals - they rule. They're forceful, yet not virtuosic, and that fact is ostensibly beknown, making it all the better. To categorise it, one could come fairly close by saying Industrial-Black Metal; this is, however, somewhat of a misnomer, as most bands from that sub- (and I mean sub) genre suck.
The longer you wait to pick this album up, the greater will be your sense of regret.
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