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Every single word of praise you’ve heard or read about Seven
Chalices is true. Spain’s Teitanblood get it totally right with
this album. And it’s just that you haven’t heard an
album this raw in ages. It used to be that black metal
started somewhat close to Teitanblood. Evolution has
meant that clean and crisp production work have made
their way into this subgenre, deeming most of it safe,
predictable and sterile. Then there are all those
chaotic black metal bands whose sound though thin
provides for an exhilaratingly caustic experience. Teitanblood is at a different level though.
Seven
Chalices is heavy, grimy and dirty. So much so that it
will have you scurrying to the sink as soon as it gets
done with you.
And the
production (or lack thereof) is super lo fi. The guitars sound
like a bass with only one really fat string. When Teitanblood
accelerate, it’s all a wall of noise. The sounds are dense and
claustrophobic. Totally disorienting. The solos are the kind
that can’t be duplicated. The drums provide the only high end
via an intermittent but constant cymbal splash and the skills
are beaten in primitive mode. No exact timing, just a dude and
his kit, in a really dark room. The vocals are the icing on the cake; at times we hear
grunts, incongruent and crazed, they seem to come in random
parts. The pronunciation is bitter, like the laments of a
monster in front of a mirror. As much as we seem to notice
syllables, we notice a guttural voice simply screaming.
If you think
the abovementioned just adds up to noise, well, you are right
and wrong. This is noise alright. But Seven Chalices is a
mighty album of bestial black metal. This is black metal at its
finest. Zero grooves. Null melodies. Just two beasts crafting
the most diabolic of noises. Nihilistic tunes that play by their
own rules. Blocks of black spirited music with a total
arrhythmic soul.
It is all
nicely rounded by the awesome eight-page booklet. Overloaded
with some of the most bizarre b/w artwork this side of hell
Teitanblood proves that they have their shit together, perhaps,
like no other black metal act. If you care to find out how clear
their vision is, you need only visit the band’s official site.
It’s all upside down for fuck’s sake.
Official Site
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