Rarely has a band been able to administer a sonic assault that could
cause the end of the world. Thanks to their latest release Eschaton,
Anaal Nathrakh can claim to be one of those bands. With 35 minutes of
fury unleashed by the band, do not be surprised if you see mushroom clouds
outside the window.
From the first second of Bellum Omnium Contra Omnes, Anaal Nathrakh
means business. Coming forward with a black metal assault the likes that
have never been heard in a while, the duo of V.I.T.R.I.O.L. and
Irrumator are unrelenting in their assault on the senses. Even though the
music structure may seem unorganized, there is more to the band's sound
than that; in fact, on Timewave Zero, there are hints of clean vocals and
even some old school thrash elements thrown in for good measure. Do
not call this band a Strapping Young Lad clone because unlike SYL, Anaal
Nathrakh does not take time off for major slow parts. Any slow parts
in the Anaal Nathrakh songs are instantly brought back to speed by the
duo's method of madness. The vocals range from maniacal screams to low
growls, which paint a picture of doom for the world and also adds to
the music, chaotic feel. One of the things that make Eschaton worth a
listen is that the album lets it all out in 35 minutes and forces the
listener to listen to the album again after it is over.
Anaal Nathrakh is a band that cannot be simply put into either the
death metal or black metal genre. The genre categorization defiance is
often overused, but not in the case of Anaal Nathrakh. With their ability
to combine the two elements well and solid efforts all around, Eschaton
proves to be an album that is not for those of weak eardrums or weak
hearts.
