A new EP from Finish Black(Death) Metal overlords Archgoat?! Entitled Heavenly Vulva (Christ's Last Rites)?! I’m all over this one!
There’s no doubt that Finnish three-piece Archgoat is an entity locked in time. After 13 years of hiatus, brought to an end with the ‘Whore of Bethlehem’ full-length in 2006, the band returns as if nothing had happened, following through with the 'The Light-Devouring Darkness' in 2009. Now it’s two years later and a new EP has arrived via French Debemur Morti Productions. And let me tell you – it is exactly what you’d expect (and/but more)!! It’s Archgoat, more brutal than the predecessor and perhaps better than ever.
Following the ‘if it’s not broken, don’t fix it, fool’-attitude, Archgoat have never failed to deliver! Heavenly Vulva is no exception, an EP which sees them add an extra-pinch of demo-day brutality to the music, whilst yet clearly showing (strategically) minimalistic signs of development. Even Archgoat evolves. Opener 'Blessed Vulva' knocks your teeth off, but it also feels like welcoming an old acquaintance to your home at the same time: This is undoubtedly Archgoat! Tracks on this beast, such as ‘Penetrator Of The Second Temple’ truly conjure the spirit of black magic from the early days of Finnish BM. Day of Clouds, the most monumental piece on here, takes a possessive doomy approach – but yet, this remains essentially Archgoat; everything is done in the Archgoat way.
As mentioned above, this might be Archgoat’s finest hour on many levels. Obviously nothing can ever rival the early demo/EP tracks, but this comes pretty damn close. The Finnish masters of Angelslaying Fucking Black Metal have proven once more than they remain on the top of their game, only a few acts today come even close to this BM mastery! Not to be missed!
http://www.archgoat.com
Miika Virtanen
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