I have had this for a while, having reviewed the band at the album wrap party and interviewed them for Terrorizer magazine (issue 186 plug, plug). The test of a truly good album is putting it down for a few weeks and picking it up again and being blown away all over again, this is I am pleased to say one such example. The Godfather title alludes to the group’s part Italian heritage, a statement in fact to both fans and detractors that this is the next step and they are declaring themselves as the mob in control, leaders and not followers within the scene.
Last album ‘Artefact Of Madness’ took the group to another level, certainly as far as the already technical excesses of ‘Fizala’ were concerned. However the group have never really got the sound that they deserved but here this is all changed by a superior mix, which is sharp and contrasts all instruments and vocals with much clearer definition. Changes in the line-up has led to new drummer Morgawr and bassist Robin ‘Graves’ Eaglestone (who has since album completion left to be replaced by Triserial ) tightening things further and upping the ante even more.
This was received by me in a lovely steel-box DVD type case and I have been told these should be available on album release in some limited supply but it is the music contained within that is the real test right! Intro ‘616’ is a short Bach like Toccata before ‘Obscure Renaissance’ fires away with riff work that dashes all over the place, changing direction as it basically bounces off one wall and into another. Vocals are evilly dictated, like a vile sermon and the instrumentation apart from a swift stop/start never really stands still for a second. Schizophrenic would be a good description for it but unlike a true mental case it does actually makes some sort of sense, although I would not have a chance explaining it fully in musical terms. Guitar solos fly out with a virtuoso zeal not really seen by many within black metal and then the progressive beard stroking flow of ‘Innocent Breed’ is next to gallop in and leave you even more bamboozled by the fluidity of it all. The fact that the band is composed of members who actually teach music is apparent here but hopefully it is something that those untalented and not in a band can enjoy in equal measures.
There are also some track bridges (de)composed by the bands ghost member Kaoma Mega, adding atmosphere and a bit of breathing space from the deranged rifferama. My favourite is ‘Horror’ the albums penultimate track as it effectively evokes the spirit of Goblin and John Carpenter treating us to a real short but sweet horror show. I am reminded a bit of Emperor’s final album Prometheus and perhaps British band Thus Defiled as far as the fretwork is concerned (another black metal group who believe in the power of the solo). However this really stands in a field of its own. The militaristic strumming assault of ‘Lustmord,’ spirals into dizzying heights with plenty of melody about it as it builds into a vortex of delirious riffing.
The 47 minute running time is just about right, any longer could have been too much as there is simply so much going on here. ‘Sentenced To Suffer’ is one vicious stormy number and you are left feeling like you have just survived a particularly vicious storm before being creeped out by the aforementioned ‘Horror.’ The final title track wraps everything up offering one last bewildering display of technical prowess that leaves me practically scratching my head and wanting to play it all again to see if they can possibly repeat themselves (even on disc).
I am a lone voice so whether the Godfather status is enforced by others remains to be seen but I am certainly looking forward to seeing reviews of this album and reading what others make of it all. Godfather In Black is the extreme metal equivalent of sticking your head in a blender, the question remains, are you up for the challenge of losing your head in the process?
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