Envenomation Music 2012
1.Eye Of Existence 2.Ten Thousand Armageddons
3.Mock The Lifeline 4.Slave To The Mannequin 5.Attack The Attacker
6.Breathe 7.The Maniacal Laughter Of A Dying Man
8.The Killer, The Philosopher And TheHoly Man
9.Of Death AndDeathlessness (Introduction)
Primitive Graven Images third full length had been hyped up
well before its release date, teasing those waiting to hear it with the band proclaiming that new
influences and ideas had been incorporated into the bands brand of elite black
metal. As ‘Eye Of Existence’ blasts open it’s very apparent that some of these
new ideas have been incorporated from the outset. The bands familiar black
metal sound still there, only with a heavy dose of melody added in, very catchy
and very effective indeed. Tempos have been varied, with the more melodic edge
used to great effect when the band slow proceedings down. The keyboards add an
extra dimension, being almost hypnotic in composition. Don’t worry though, the
band still remaining as scathing and as lethal as on previous albums. As ‘Ten
Thousand Armageddon’s’ begins, the blast beats have returned in a ferocious
start to this second track. One point to note here is the guitar production, a
lot heavier than a lot of black metal, the bass guitar really punches through
and you can actually here it under the guitars. The track then breaks
completely from the black metal norm, a spacey progressive interludes takes
over, almost sounding 70’s prog rock. Strangely enough though, it works and
works really well, especially when the screamed black metal vocals are
re-introduced. The track then returns to the more familiar black metal sound
seen earlier. Different, but in a really good way. When ‘Mock The Lifeline’
bursts into life, the band starts to sound a lot like Marduk, the slower
heavier option preferred here. Devastatingly powerful, especially when the band
jumps from the slow and mournful up to the hyper blasting sections in an
instant. The mix of time changes and tempos works extremely well and stops the
song from becoming one dimensional and being the longest on the entire cd
(7:47) that’s probably going to be a good thing. Minds can wander on long
songs, but not here, there’s so much to keep the listener engaged. As the track
draws to a close, the spacey and proggy keyboards are re-introduced, used as an
outro. It doesn’t sound out of place either, because the prog element is
starting to become the norm here.
‘Slave
To The Mannequin’ is the albums most straight ahead black metal song so far,
the ‘other influences and ideas’ dropped for a more familiar black metal
approach. Blasting and scathing, it’s never going to fail but please. Having
said that, the introduction of a folky element is absolute genius, the riff
used is so catchy that its extremely hard to put into words. It raises
goosebumps every time, so catchy. Having spoken to the band I know they were in
two minds about using the folk inspired riff, feeling it might just be too folk
influenced. It would have been a massive mistake to not include that riff, it
makes the track something really special. It is one of the best riffs I have
heard in a long time and makes for an absolutely killer song. Well done for
being brave and sticking with it because it works so well. ‘Attack The
Attacker’ is another ‘foot to the floor’ black metal assault, the re-introduction
of some slower but extremely melodic guitar work ensures that this is another
‘stand out’ track. As the song begins to end another new idea is incorporated
seemlessly, cleanly sung vocals which sound particularly effective alongside
the melodic framework which this track is twisted around. Great stuff. ‘Breathe’
sees the band side stepping from the slow melodic and mournful, to the all out
blast again, effortless in delivery and vocally it is ultra-scathing, pure
spite and hate being spat out with absolute malice; as black metal should be
really. Again we see another spacey and melodic ending to this track, fitting
given what we have witnessed previously. ‘The Maniacal Laughter Of A Dying Man’
remains mid-paced and is another example of UKBM at its very best, there’s a real
definitive song structure on display, verse chorus easy to follow and again
being delivered in the more familiar black metal approach, tight and fast
tremolo picked guitars being backed up by some slower, but powerful drum work.
No proggy influences here, this track is solely about the black metal!
‘The
Killer, The Philosopher And The Holy Man’ is probably the most ‘different' track
on the cd, many of the bands new and different influences being incorporated.
Cleanly sung vocals again utilised well alongside the scathing screamed black
metal style of vocals. Tempos mixed and matched from the melodically slow
through to the all-out blasting. A spoken passage is introduced with almost
space like / industrial vocal effects used. Very different, but fitting in
perfectly amongst everything else the track has to offer. The song never
forgetting that it is back metal at heart. Ending proceedings is ‘Of Death And
Deathlessness (Introduction)’, a keyboard lead atmospheric track, again, a very
‘spacey’ feel to it, bordering on the epic. It’s probably very fitting that the entire
album is titled ‘Psychedelic Episodes’ as many of the tracks offered up have a
certain psychedelic feel and sound. This is a pure black metal album, and one
of the highest order and all the talk of new ideas and influences was well
founded, there are a lot of new ideas on show. Not enough to change the bands
sound however, it is still very much PGI and those familiar with the band will
not be disappointed at all. Very brave for a black metal band to add the kind
of influences the band has, but they have done it and done it very well, the
black metal core never spoilt by those ‘other ideas’. They have been
incorporated and used extremely effectively and is testament to the bands song
writing ability. This is their third full length and by far their best. Don’t
be frightened by the words ‘Prog’ or ‘Spacey’ of ‘Clean singing’ because
believe me, this album is packed full of absolutely amazing black metal songs,
some with new ideas yes, but ideas that enhance the songs and only add to the
appeal of the album. UKBM of the highest order and very highly recommended.
9 out of 10
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