Akercoke - Words That Go Unspoken, Deeds That Go Undone
Earache - MOSH322CD - 2005
By Philip Whitehouse
Anyone who searches through the UltimateMetal archives for opinions on Akercocke's previous couple of releases will rapidly gain the (quite accurate) impression that I'm something of a fan. So, I was pretty damn chuffed when the British progressive/extreme metal act's latest opus fell through my letterbox. Now, while there was obvious progression between 2001's Goat Of Mendes and 2003's Choronzon, I still wasn't prepared for the quantum leap the group have made here.
From the opening moments of first track 'Verdelet', you'd think that Akercocke have gone for a pared-down, straight-forward death metal approach (an impression strengthened by the presence of new guitarist Matt Wilcock of The Berzerker and by Neil Kernon's solid, professional mix). However, as the song (and, indeed, the album) progresses, Akercocke's widened horizons become ever clearer. Jason Mendonca's clean vocals now share almost equal space with his insanely low bellows and screeching wails for one thing! As well as this, though, the songwriting scope of the group has blossomed to amazing proportions. Take the gorgeously uplifting mid-point of album highlight 'Shelter From The Sand', all slow-burning melody, arpeggiated piano and guitar lines, expanding to a hugely sublime crescendo before diving straight into an utterly prog-tastic passage. Or 'Lex Talionis''s Eastern-tinted, contemplative and dramatic acoustic lead-off to the album. Or the two-part album centrepiece, 'Words That Go Unspoken (Part 1)' and 'Intractable (Words That Go Unspoken Part 2)', an exhilarating blend of catchy melodies, stomping rhythms, savage blast-sections, atmospheric segues and everything in between.
Don't let the above paragraph fool you into thinking that Akercocke have gone soft, though - the guys still blast for Satan with a viciousness (and velocity) that packs an even harder punch when balanced against the relatively more placid moments. Matt Wilcock's ridiculously fast lead guitar work deserves special praise too - very different in style to his predecessor's 'straining at the leash' chaotic fret-work, but managing to fit right in with Akercocke's expanded aesthetic perfectly.
Overall, then, the boys have done it again. This is an ambitious, impressive album, epic in its scope and worthy of the highest praise for hitting all of its targets. Can't wait to see what they come up with next.
9.5/10
Official Akercocke Website
Official Earache Records Website
Earache - MOSH322CD - 2005
By Philip Whitehouse
Anyone who searches through the UltimateMetal archives for opinions on Akercocke's previous couple of releases will rapidly gain the (quite accurate) impression that I'm something of a fan. So, I was pretty damn chuffed when the British progressive/extreme metal act's latest opus fell through my letterbox. Now, while there was obvious progression between 2001's Goat Of Mendes and 2003's Choronzon, I still wasn't prepared for the quantum leap the group have made here.
From the opening moments of first track 'Verdelet', you'd think that Akercocke have gone for a pared-down, straight-forward death metal approach (an impression strengthened by the presence of new guitarist Matt Wilcock of The Berzerker and by Neil Kernon's solid, professional mix). However, as the song (and, indeed, the album) progresses, Akercocke's widened horizons become ever clearer. Jason Mendonca's clean vocals now share almost equal space with his insanely low bellows and screeching wails for one thing! As well as this, though, the songwriting scope of the group has blossomed to amazing proportions. Take the gorgeously uplifting mid-point of album highlight 'Shelter From The Sand', all slow-burning melody, arpeggiated piano and guitar lines, expanding to a hugely sublime crescendo before diving straight into an utterly prog-tastic passage. Or 'Lex Talionis''s Eastern-tinted, contemplative and dramatic acoustic lead-off to the album. Or the two-part album centrepiece, 'Words That Go Unspoken (Part 1)' and 'Intractable (Words That Go Unspoken Part 2)', an exhilarating blend of catchy melodies, stomping rhythms, savage blast-sections, atmospheric segues and everything in between.
Don't let the above paragraph fool you into thinking that Akercocke have gone soft, though - the guys still blast for Satan with a viciousness (and velocity) that packs an even harder punch when balanced against the relatively more placid moments. Matt Wilcock's ridiculously fast lead guitar work deserves special praise too - very different in style to his predecessor's 'straining at the leash' chaotic fret-work, but managing to fit right in with Akercocke's expanded aesthetic perfectly.
Overall, then, the boys have done it again. This is an ambitious, impressive album, epic in its scope and worthy of the highest praise for hitting all of its targets. Can't wait to see what they come up with next.
9.5/10
Official Akercocke Website
Official Earache Records Website
