IDOLATRIA : "Tetrabestiarchy"

Been a minute since I have given much new black metal a try . I love black metal but all too often when sorting through the promos in my in-box it is one rusty blast fest after another when I want something with thought and feeling put into it .This Italian band accomplishes both and seems to be aware of the fact they are writing songs and not just making heavy noise. There is more Dissection influence to this than your typical Italian black metal which is often more ritualistic and colored with old horror kind of Satanism. I am getting dark and angry sounds, but what these guys believe I have no clue. The lyrics are a dry snarling rasp that sits back into the music so I have no idea what the lyrics are.

After the swirling chaos leading into "Noctule..." the eventually work through the speed to weave together punchy accents and even a more melodic guitar section create another acutal song. The vocals go down into more of a death growl in  places and other times double up for chanted gang vocals. They use a great deal of dissonance in what they do. Often causing them to work off more of a throbbing pulse than your typical metal chug or gallop. "Goat..." find them staying the course with a more deliberate and melodic direction. The drummer continues to impress with his bombastic style that doesn't rely on blast beats. Often this creates a kind of Watain like sound. Though these guys are more dissonant than Watain. While they are not at Watain's level of song writing they are heading in that direction which is commendable. They are not totally devoid of blast beats . Nor do I think them or any other black metal band should shun them, I think dynamics are key and they should not define any band.

While they are not on Watain's level that does not mean they are not capable of cranking out some very powerful riffs as they prove they are not far from that Watain level on the last song "Vulture : the god of the last rites" which might be the album's most note worthy song. This band has set themselve apart from the masses with their devotion to making actual music and not just shoving a blast of hell into your ears. I will give this album a 9. It comes out on Signal Rex on September 4th.