Artist: Styggelse
Title: Heir Today – God Tomorrow
Type: Album
Label: Unexploded Records

Formed in Sweden in 2004/2005, Styggelse (“Abomination” in the Swedish language) have a black metal style that is quite palatable, it is raw, but not in that “necro” way, more so in a punk attitude way leaning towards the early forefathers of Swedish black metal that were heavily influenced by the death metal scene at the time, e.g. Morbid. Larsson’s vocals are perfect, very gruff and heavy whilst lyrically detailing how “you will lick the gloryhole of submission itself” (from ‘Defiance’) that in itself satisfies ones inner perversions which ever way you take it to be read. There are the usual thin sounding black metal guitar tones, but over-layered torturous rasps and low end distortion of nastiness. ‘Ready to Burn’ and the album title track have a blackened groove to them, but you cannot take away those crust and death influences similar to some early Darkthrone tunes in their demo and first album period. Bassist Folkilsk (Björn Thorup) also resides in Pagan Rites, so fans of this band will kind of know what to expect.

Black metal performed in this style is a winner no doubt about it, there is no boring folky stuff, the atmosphere comes from hellish power and a relentless attitude of youthful exuberance rather than experimentation. ‘Heir Today – God Tomorrow’ is a definite nod to the old school in black metal terms with tight pieces of guitar work and a straight to the point attitude when it comes to the solo work. Perfectly mixed and presented, the whole plethora of in your face rottenness is effortlessly received and reeking of a professional accolade.

http://www.myspace.com/styggelse
http://www.unexplodedrecords.com/