Skaldic Curse - World Suicide Machine (2009)

[padrak]

VÖ: 2009

Genre: Black Metal

Label: Dark Essence

Herkunftsland: Großbritannien


Tracklist:

01. Pest Against Pest
02. World Suicide Machine
03. Worm
04. Genocide Storm
05. Carcinogen
06. Invoking Mal-Being

Spielzeit: 43:06

"World Suicide Machine" marks the second outing for UK black metal wrecking crew Skaldic Curse, following 2006”s "Pathogen", which drew acclaim for its relentless fury and diabolic complexity. The approach this time around will not disappoint those who have found Skaldic Curse to their liking in the past; these creative and bold musicians throw up a veritable razor-wire riot barrier of storming, intense, corrosive black metal spite, and then seduce the listener into dashing themselves against it with unexpectedly tranquil and alluring clean layers.

It”s hard to overstate the ferocity of this album, with its pummelling slabs of distorted sound, and searing, slicing leads. A big, rumbling bass presence counterbalances the potential shrillness of the guitars, but the merciless percussion and Woundz”s hoarse, manic howl ramp up the intensity and wicked, savage energy. The title track gives the earliest intimations of Skaldic Curse”s rather progressive, modern feel, being packed with the kind of nimble fretboard twists and squeals that one would expect of a guitarist of Scapula”s pedigree. The track makes effective use of both an unexpectedly clean and clear break, and a doomy slowdown near the end to overcome the perils of long structuring with ease, whilst a warm, soaring solo reminiscent of latter-day Shining adds a vibrant variety of tone.

"Genocide Storm" is another stand-out, this time boasting a more classic Nordic feel, screeching, sharp and grim, adorned with a remarkable, Attila-like vocal turn from Woundz. Due to the length of their tracks, Skaldic Curse work well with gradual, clever evolutions of sound, and this track seems to discover sick new energy with every tortured turn. "Carcinogen", by contrast, is rather grand and proud, but is typical of the album as a whole in that it makes great use of challenging discordance. In their masterful control of different layers, and their ability to switch gear at the drop of a hat, Skaldic Curse elevate relentlessness and aggression into an art form, shaping knife-edge chaos into calculated, challenging sophistication.

"World Suicide Machine" seizes the most vital aspects of classic and modern black metal, and mixes them up with a progressive, distinctly British twist. It reminded me in turns of old Satyricon, Keep of Kalessin, Shining and Mayhem, but more in spirit and bite than in easily defined genre. Skaldic Curse have created something impressively creative here, a puzzle which brings pleasure with each subsequent assault. It”s an extremely strong second statement, confident and hard-hitting, and should signal a new phase in the band”s career.
Quelle

Meine Wertung: 8.5/10

BandInfo
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[myhomeismycastle]

nichts aussergewöhnliches, aber gefällt mir irgendwie dennoch ziemlich gut.

die songs sind ein wenig uneinheitlich und insgesamt recht abwechslungsreich, von rasendem BM bis zu ruhigeren instrumentalpassagen. insgesamt aber doch aggressiv und mit leichten industrial anklängen.

auf den ersten eindruck 8/10

[padrak]

Dieses "Uneinheitliche" gefällt mir im Besonderen. Der Rest ist guter BM Standard.

Muss die Scheibe nochmal komplett anhören, danach wird sie wohl eingetütet. Der Vorgänger Pathogen hat teilweise noch bessere Kritiken bekommen. Den werde ich dann auch noch antesten.

[padrak]

Die "Pathogen" hat auf Dauer einen zu schlechten Sound. "World Suicide Machine" wird allerdings gekauft.