Der Gerwelt - Human Breed
2003 - Rage Of Achilles
By Philip Whitehouse
Go to the Rage Of Achilles website.
English metal label Rage Of Achilles have succeeded once more in delivering an extreme metal album of the highest quality, this time by signing Russian black metallers Der Gerwelt. This three piece combine an obvious love of the early 90's Norwegian black metal scene with a propensity for doom metal-like, sorrowful lead work and a minimalistic yet clean and crisp production, much unlike the Darkthrone recordings that 'Human Breed' at times resembles.
There's a truly chilling atmosphere to the music captured on this disk, which is fantastic since that is usually what I look for in a black metal release. The lead guitar work is understated yet perfectly suited to the sound, relying on drawn-out, wailing pinched harmonics and mid-era Katatonia-esque 'sorrow leads'. The drumming is kept simple, with drum rolls featuring rarely in songs - instead, a mixture between mid-tempo driving rhythms and blastbeats is used as appropriate. The most outstanding feature of the music, however, is the vocals - raw, sickening, throaty speech-like vocals that almost personify the sound.
An excellent release from a very talented band, and a welcome addition to Rage Of Achilles' already marvellous roster. Well worth a look.
8/10
2003 - Rage Of Achilles
By Philip Whitehouse
Go to the Rage Of Achilles website.
English metal label Rage Of Achilles have succeeded once more in delivering an extreme metal album of the highest quality, this time by signing Russian black metallers Der Gerwelt. This three piece combine an obvious love of the early 90's Norwegian black metal scene with a propensity for doom metal-like, sorrowful lead work and a minimalistic yet clean and crisp production, much unlike the Darkthrone recordings that 'Human Breed' at times resembles.
There's a truly chilling atmosphere to the music captured on this disk, which is fantastic since that is usually what I look for in a black metal release. The lead guitar work is understated yet perfectly suited to the sound, relying on drawn-out, wailing pinched harmonics and mid-era Katatonia-esque 'sorrow leads'. The drumming is kept simple, with drum rolls featuring rarely in songs - instead, a mixture between mid-tempo driving rhythms and blastbeats is used as appropriate. The most outstanding feature of the music, however, is the vocals - raw, sickening, throaty speech-like vocals that almost personify the sound.
An excellent release from a very talented band, and a welcome addition to Rage Of Achilles' already marvellous roster. Well worth a look.
8/10
