Gallhammer – Ill Innocence

[Russell]

Gallhammer – Ill Innocence
CDVILEF169
By Chris Kee

Great things are being said about Gallhammer, with Metal Hammer even going so far as to suggest that they might be ‘the greatest metal band of all time’. Of course in reality it’s far too early in the career of these three young Japanese girls to lay such accolades at their feet but they have certainly created something very special in Ill Innocence. Right from the beginning of this album, with the gradually mesmerising 'At The Onset Of The Age Of Despair' it is obvious that Gallhammer know how to include just what is necessary in their songs. There are no superfluous elements to this recipe, just bare bones and magic. The sparseness of the songs’ construction gives them an open, honest, almost naive feel, a cold fragility and a real rawness of expression. All the songs possess unique character but all lock together in perfect unity as an album. 'Speed Of Blood' rattles along with a primitive black metal fury, 'Delirious Daydreamer' is jarring, unsettling - a disjointed fever dream, 'Killed By The Queen' careers from the speakers in a riot of dirty, slamming crust punk while 'Last Scary Dream' transports you to a dark, bleak landscape and simply abandons you there.

Throughout the album Vivian Slaughter’s vocals sound distraught, disturbing and at times utterly possessed. The guitar work of Mika Penetrator is deceptively simple but extremely effective and Risa Reaper’s drumming has a fabulous organic exuberance. Blended together the music they create is at times quite breathtaking.

Official Gallhammer Website
Official Peaceville website

 

[Bleakest Harvest]

I simply had to check these gals out after all the hype - reasonably impressive, and they're capable of weaving a nice atmosphere, but what's with those horrible yelpy schoolgirl vocals that chime in every no and again? Her raspy vocals are good though, plenty of emotion behind them.

Aside from that, it's pretty good - still not sure what all of the fuss is about though (apart from the all-girl thing - but isn't that a little patronising to women?), aren't blackened, punky, hellhammer-esque bands like this kind of ten a penny these days?

 

[Dr. Abner Mality]

Wow, can't believe how overhyped and overrated this is. If this was by three guys from Sweden instead of three cute Japanese chicks with silly names, nobody would care too much. And those helium-inhaling "Ami Puffi Yumi" vocals are EXCRUCIATING!!!

 

[IOfTheStorm]

EXACTLY what the guy above me said.

 

[BrandonS]

Pika pika.... pika choooo!!!

 

[OldScratch]

Gallhammer – Ill Innocence
CDVILEF169
By Chris Kee

Great things are being said about Gallhammer, with Metal Hammer even going so far as to suggest that they might be ‘the greatest metal band of all time’.

That is a good indication of how out of touch and irrelevant Metal Hammer is -I was waiting for a punchline, but apparently that was serious?!?

Either way, others have nailed it - if this were anything other than a (perhaps altogether unintentionally)semi-novelty act of Japanese gals, it would hardly be noticed. That said, it isn't terrible stuff to be fair, just not terribly notworthy either.