I really did wonder what Helmuth and co. were going to produce for their eighth album, as I couldn’t stand ‘Bondage Goat Zombie’ whatsoever. In fact I’m of the opinion that it is musically as bad as its title and cover art, but managed to listen all the way through, perhaps three times before giving up on it.
‘Walpurgis Rites’ on the other hand, I deemed to be very promising quite quickly...and have now decided it’s far superior to the Goat Zombie.
‘Walpurgis...’ signals drummer Nefastus’ return to the studio, and just like on 06’s ‘Pestapokalypse VI’ he makes a right racket! A blast-machine he is indeed! The song writing here also sounds more like a natural progression from their sixth opus, providing us with a dextrous melee of groovy hymns, fast hymns and very bloody fast hymns. The variation is excellent, with the tracks complimenting and sometimes contrasting with one another very successfully. The most notable of these differences lies right in the middle of the album, where two melancholic Black shredders entomb a couple of groove oriented numbers, one of which is an unusual step for the Austrians.
Well it starts with a blastathlon with the title track, ‘Walpurgis Rites’, which is familiar territory, if not a little too predictable for my liking. ‘Veneratio Diaboli – I Am Sin’ is altogether more interesting, slowing down considerably from the hellish madness and incorporating a headier feel complete with thrash beats and more melody. It’s up-beat and catchy in a good way, with Helmuth’s growls sounding more domineering and striking without a wall of noise to contend with. He also has a chance to whirl off a rather luscious solo, which fits into the composition brilliantly, adding a whole host of wonderful flavours to make one salivate.
The entombment of groove begins with ‘Reichswehr in Blood’ which is where the band’s fiercely honed Black-attack really begins. The riff is vast and iridescent with a kind of red anger (no I’m not talking about the colour of the title), Nefastus going into hyper-blast mode for much of the song. ‘The Crosses made of Bone’ is quite a different kettle of fish to the usual Belphegor ‘thing’, relying on a very melodic groove and in places reminding a little of the Gothenburg scene (after having been trampled all over by Salzburg!). It comes across very well, leading into the slightly heavier and even groovier ‘Der Geistertriiber’. Serpenth’s bass lines are left in the open for half of the verses, and are generally loud in the mix to inject that extra feel of rhythm. ‘Destroyer Hecate’ flings all these delicacies to one side with a quick splash of cymbals, rising back into drum annihilation time! Perhaps with slightly more on the melodic side for the blackened parts and some deathier segments not a million miles away from Vader’s style, this pitches its flag and conquers quickly and savagely, just like ‘Lucifer Incestus’ or ‘The Ancient Enemy’ from previous albums.
Yes this is good, very bloody good, and a return to form in my eyes. What more do I need to say? I am impressed.
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