Lucifugum have acquired a notorious fame for producing abrasive, raw and
autistically monotonous black metal as well as being one of the most
productive bands in recent years, averaging almost an album a year. That
particular formula of theirs has been retained in this album as well,
sans the distinct quality of previous albums that managed to exude a
more cohesive outcome. The production here, as always, is quite simply
horrendous, and not horrendous in an Ildjarn-cum-atmospheric kind of way
but horrendous, in that it significantly hinders the effectiveness of
the album's compositions. Songs can sometimes sound structure-less and
aberrantly erratic with the musical direction left afloat and helpless
in a sea of white noise. The emergent hostile sound arising from this
hodgepodge of perniciously harsh guitar riffs and monotonous drumming
might be too alien for some but ideal for others. Although being a fan
of their early catalogue, I can't put myself in wholeheartedly enjoying
this album, which I find to be quite bland and sterile at times.
Employing this kind of ultra-minimalistic musicianship can work wonders
when applied properly and within the proper thematic context (e.g. Vlad
Tepes, Mutiilation, Von etc), this album however falls short for the
most part in attaining a certain quiddity that would allow it to escape
the mediocrity of its own niche. For fanatics only, the rest need not
bother.
(originally written for Tartarean Desire -2/1/2007)
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