It’s licking lips time. “Impending Hostility” is a piece of Death/Black Metal from Poland, one of the epicentres of the genre. Preludium’s cv suggests that they specialise in blasphemy and desecration. In fact this one seems to be about war and destruction but that’ll do.
There’s no messing about. “Legacy of Destinations” starts off Preludium’s third album. It’s utterly militaristic and harsh, giving the impression of throwing bibles out of windows and much worse. The Death Metal onslaught is relentless and rammed down our throat, Behemoth-style. It’s typically imperious. So is “Realm of Void”, another piece of punishment. What is so appealing about this style is that for all its bleakness, the riffs are driving and it’s easy to get in to (unless you’re a fan of X Factor or something but I wouldn’t know about that). The killing machine burns through us like a laser on “Desolation”, a medium-paced, growled and blackened chunk of Metal. The track title is appropriate. There’s a slight drift in style on “Hostile Area”. It’s more ambient and less melodic. I’m speaking in a Polish Black Metal sense here so that just means it’s more crushing than normal and the faint comfort zone is not with us. “Bitter Cold” slows the pace down to Death/Doom. The growls are so insistent that by now it’s just part of normal life. The guitar solo impressively evokes the bleakness of winter. The track ends with the drums ringing out a technical sermon. Each track makes its statement. “Death Campaign” is warfare in musical form. “Execution” is slower, and as subtle as a pneumatic drill. “Warfare” starts with an Eastern section which precedes a section of majestic Death Metal. It cranks up and then the drums mark the start of battle … and so the album ends.
In a sense this 31 minute outpouring of winter, warfare and related activities doesn’t advance very much, but it’s not really supposed to. In fact there are subtle variations within this blast of belligerent nihilism. Thank goodness for Polish Death Metal. Where would we be without it? It has a special quality and you always know where you stand with it. Great stuff.
http://www.preludium.metal.pl
http://www.myspace.com/preludiumband
http://www.diabolicalconquest.com
