Metal will always have it’s “mainstream;” that is, a select few bands that are well marketed enough to reach those who are either just discovering the genre or those that simply can’t be bothered to dig any deeper into it than what is on the cover of Metal Hammer and on the shelves of HMV. Without wanting to come off as elitist, I think for a band to be accessible to the mainstream they have to have a sound that is uncomplicated – listening to it doesn’t present any real challenge, the choruses get jammed into your head and present themselves to you at inconvenient times, and you can tap your foot or bang your head without giving it much thought. It’s something that Evile, Amon Amarth and The Foo Fighters all have in common.
To cut to the chase, Harkonin are one band that should join that list – one of the few that people will in a few years to come be saying “they were the band that got me into extreme metal.” I say that because ‘Detest’ is just a really good album that deserves to be heard; it’s undiluted black thrash that ticks all the right boxes. There is nothing overtly challenging or complex about this album, it’s one that can be enjoyed pretty much straight away and will soon have the likes of ‘Chaos Anthem’ whirring around in your brain. This is truly irresistible with its clambering guitar on the verse which kind of skips along in a jagged manner and then things really spiral out of control in a truly chaotic chorus. The melodies on this album just kind of roll along nicely yet with a ferocity that gives it a biting edge. At times there’s a bit of a battle-ready vibe to the music too. There is something about the opening riff on ‘The Sleeper Has Awakened’ that sounds kind of like a demented riverdance, and after a while things really pick up with a rollicking rhythm that really clatters along calamitously.
Vocals vary in their application, ranging from a Johan Hegg-esque battle roar to a more cacophonous blackened rasp. ‘Spiritual Hypnosis’ is another that has a hell of a mighty swagger to it and really makes you want to pump your fist in the air. There’s an underlying sense of evil to this one that you feel is about to erupt at any time and tear your face off and as things progress all is suddenly ripped apart and briefly we hear some unsettling cries and screams before all thrashes away relentlessly and the following track ‘Exhauster Of Souls’ is equally unrelenting in its assault. There’s a nasty snarl to the vocal delivery here that really is quite fitting too. ‘Disease’ is more straight up black thrash assault that will appeal to fans of Absu; it’s really full on and the riffs are pretty gnarly to say the least, and ‘Detest’ kind of winds the album down with a mid paced romp and the keyboard adds a certain creepiness to this one.
There’s definitely plenty of hatred and aggression behind this, it’s not for pussies! I found this a thoroughly enjoyable album full of swaggering melodies and the kind of riffs I can really sink my teeth into. It’s one that should definitely appeal to fans of black thrash, but there’s also something about it that I think makes it quite accessible mainly because there’s so much melody and gusto behind it. A great album that I thoroughly recommend!
http://www.myspace.com/harkonin
