Saturday 4 July 2015

Gorgoroth - ‘Instinctus Bestialis’ (Album Review)


‘Technical and precise, this album at times has a subtle yet palpable progressive tinge…’

Album Type: Full-Length
Date Released: 08/06/2015
Label:  Soulseller Records

‘Instinctus Bestialis’ CD//DD//LP track listing:

1. Radix Malorum
2. Dionysian Rite
3. Ad Omnipotens Aeterne Diabolus
4. Come Night
5. Burn in His Light
6. Rage
7. Kala Brahman
8. Awakening

Gorgoroth is:

Atterigner | Vocals
Infernus | Guitars
Bøddel | Bass
Asklund | Drums

Review:

Incarceration, legal battles, satanic live shows and line-up changes that make Cradle of Filth look stable, Gorgoroth are no strangers to controversy. Nevertheless, their contribution to Black Metal is paramount. Six years on Satan’s servants are back with ‘Instinctus Bestialis’ with remaining founding member Infernus, along with BØddel (formerly of Obituary) Tomas Asklund (Dissection, Dark Funeral) and the debut of vocalist Atterigner (Triumfall).

Technical and precise, this album at times has a subtle yet palpable progressive tinge, aligned with signature BM components of blast beats and guttural vocals, keeping their sound firmly in the realm of black metal.  Unpredictable tempos and furious intensity maintains high energy, which permeates throughout the album; ‘Kala Brahman’ for example has a stop start element to the tempo which adds that sense of unpredictability. The guitar melodies are complex and riveting, switching from high pitched tremolo picking to deep chugs with the track ‘Rage’ being particularly varied through its guitar parts, demonstrating flowing melodies juxtaposed with harsh rhythm sections.

‘Radix Malorum’ packs a punch with its fast paced immediacy and soaring intricate melodies. ‘Ad Omnipotens Aeterne Diabolus’ emerges as the most memorable track, with the roar of ‘Hail Satan’ really solidifying the general theme of Gorgoroth; Satan. Newbie Atterigner delivers vocally, distinctively different from his predecessor Pest, with more of a death metal guttural approach but greatly effective nonetheless.

This album is memorable and in parts quite catchy, despite bearing similarities to previous albums particularly ‘Quontos Possunt Ad Satanitatem Trahun’, it still comes across as a fresh sounding album from Gorgoroth.  Continuing to keep the spirit of Norwegian black metal alive, Gorogorth will always be remembered, but hopefully for the right reasons. This comes across as a very focused album from Gorgoroth, Infernus is clearly out to prove his worth and does just that with ‘Infernus Bestialis’, the future of Gorgoroth is in capable hands. Gaahl who?

Words by: Heather Blewett

‘Instinctus Bestialis’ is available here

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