Searching the net for some info on this band turned out not to be such a 2 minute job – not because of a lack of info but simply as there are no less than ten bands out there with this moniker. The one in question is based in the Netherlands, and is the band of Carpathian Wolf who spent twelve years playing bass for Melechesh under the pseudonym of Al Hazred. Despite having formed originally in 1988, it wasn’t until 2006 that Conspiracy recorded a debut album and now here they are on album number three.
So I actually knew very little about what to expect from this album, other than that it contained an ex-Melechesh member which kind of sold it to me given that I have always liked their brand of Mesopotamian black thrash. The first thing that I really notice about this album is that it’s not the most simple thing to categorise. It really throws together quite a hodgepodge of styles and influence and just when you think you have it all sussed out they go and throw a curveball doing something totally unexpected. ‘Nocturnal Hunters’ straight away introduces us to some thrashy, punishing drums while the keyboards offer a looming creepy atmosphere that really builds up into something quite intense. At times it really takes centre stage and conjures up images of tip-toeing across the creaky cracked floorboards of a haunted house pulling cobwebs out of your hair. There’s definitely a Gothic appeal to this and I really want to immerse myself within these soundscapes, although there is sadly something stopping me.
I guess what it comes down to is that while the atmosphere is very good, the core elements – the rhythm section just isn’t strong enough to back it up. And it’s a real shame. What gives a band like Dimmu Borgir their appeal really is that they have some very strong melodies and a driving power underlying everything else which they successfully build upon, rather than the other way around. There’s no really strong, powerful riffs or melodies to hold it all in, and it all seems a bit hashed together. Title track, ‘Irremediable’ certainly throws me off the scent as it trots away and pushes aside the extreme metal rasps in favour of a falsetto in the style of King Diamond. In fact, I had to check this wasn’t a cover song as it so obviously tries to emulate the diamond daddy himself. I really like the chorus, which has an epic choir singing above a backdrop of atmospheric organ music. ‘Black Mass’ returns to more of a thrashy sound and has a bit of a Maiden gallow going at one point. There’s definitely a nod to the heavy metal forefathers as much as influences from black/death metal, while ‘Bukovina’ brings us back to the King Diamond karaoke.
There is lots to like about this album, especially if you enjoy symphonic metal with a strong focus on atmosphere. Unfortunately there is just something missing from it all and while it may be an album I return to once or twice in the next six months, it is unlikely I will be making a purchase. There may be a conspiracy, but it’s clearly one I’m not privy to.
http://www.myspace.com/metalconspiracy
