 |
|
October 12, 2008 |
 |
|
 |
 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
01. In Hindsight
02. Disintegrate
03. Ways Of The World
04. Subversive Faith
05. Cold Grave
06. Vile Ritual
07. Underdog
08. Wrenched
09. Vulture
10. Skinned And Endangered
|
|
When a formation selects a name as outrageous as ZYKLON their intention is obviously to not write love ballads. It's been three years already since the release of the band's last album, "Aeon", which at the time marked a clear evolution in the style of this combo (including former members of EMPEROR and ENSLAVED plus current members of MYRKSOG). Since their first opus, "World Ov Worms" in 2001, this Norwegian formation has been able to manage a perfect balance of power between the two major elements used to build their style, Black and Death Metal, consequently growing to become one of today's leading forces in Extreme Metal. As with previous releases, this album was produced by Thorbjørn Akkerhaugen and mixed under the strict supervision of Fredrik Nordström (Boy why does it feel like I see this name everywhere?!) at Studio Fredman.
After a quick intro, the opening track, "In Hindsight", unleashes the fury in brutal ZYKLON tradition. The sound is phenomenal as the pace is masterfully dictated by drummer Trym's restless double bass kicking, rightfully nicknamed by his band mates "Blastomaniac". With lyrics such as "If you remove one species of insects from the chain of nutrition, the whole eco-biological population will completely vanish in a matter of short time. If you remove the total human species the whole planet will regenerate in its full perfect harmonic balance as it were in before mass human population began to expand", ZYKLON makes a strong statement about their respect for mother nature and by contrast, their total dislike for mankind or at least the lack of sympathy they evidently feel for the way it's currently using the earth's resources to the extreme limits. Somewhere down the road, it seems like environmentalism has crossed paths with misanthropy!
As with the following tracks, "Disintegrate" and "Way Of The World", it is clear that ZYKLON has now found its own way, blending elements of Black, Death and Thrash Metal to perfection. However, next is "Subversive Faith", which is probably the best composition I've heard by this band thus far. The mood on this track succeeds in capturing the whole message by releasing it in the most brutal fashion. The vocals of Secthadamon are frightening, constantly changing from menacing growling to high pitch angry screams, never making the listener feel lost or even disoriented. The guitar works shared between Samoth and Destructhor are simply amazing on "A Cold Grave" and keeps on going on the ultra-speedy "Vile Ritual". "Underdog" represents one of the most technical songs ever performed by ZYKLON and yet remains very easy to listen to at same time. If the expression "killer-riff" could be illustrated, it would probably be best done with the intro of the super heavy "Wrenched". The band then switch gears back to a higher speed with "Vulture", where a lot of growling and screaming blends in with the steamrolling, powerful musical force that is ZYKLON.
It's hard to believe the album is already over with the closing track "Skinned And Endangered", and even harder to conceive that I've heard this album from one end to the other three times in the same day! Adequately the ambiance on this final song is very slow, making the atmosphere as dark and sinister as it should be. For eight years now, ZYKLON has grown to become an unstoppable force in Metal. When it comes to kicking some ass, these guys talk the talk and walk the walk. In the meantime, if you've been looking for the perfect way to vent your anger at any time of the day, "Disintegrate" will probably be a dream come true.
|
|
|
|
