PANDEMONIUM
'Misanthropy'
(Pagan
Records / Gods Ov War Productions)
Finally
after a huge package of promo discs graciously sent my way by Gods Ov
War, much respect for this label. I have at last arrived at the crown
jewel, which I purposely saved for last, always save the best for
last. I have been anticipating this album for some time. Pandemonium
are not one to disappoint, they prove why they are one of the best
and are leading the way for the Polish metal scene! As some will
remember from my review of their promo, I am long time listener and
fan of the band as I tape traded for their 'Devilri' demo back
in the early 90s and loved it. These Polish maniacs are old school
metal through and through and all I have to say to that is fuck yeah!
The atmosphere on this record is fantastic, very dark, doomy and
eerie death metal that is often mid paced, always placing an emphasis
on emotion and the overall listening experience. They have not set
out to be the heaviest, fastest or most brutal but they do set out to
immerse you in a metallically heavy experience and create a world
that is steeped in evil, in depression, in darkness and despair. This
is some masterful stuff, it is hard to just single out the riffing or
the drums or the vocals as Pandemonium have created this
entire album as a whole, an experience, not just a collection of cool
songs or killer riffs. You can not just pick out one song, the
listener should either listen to the whole album or not at all. I
mean sure the doomy riffs are great, the obscure excellently varied
vocal performance is good, the drumming is well done and crafted in a
minimalist way to make sure the song and not the performance is what
is important, but none stick out above the other and it was designed
that way. I wish more bands were able to achieve something like this
these days. I would not call this music retro but it always feels
like it has an old school vibe to me, maybe that is more due to the
musicians coming out of the old school and it is in their blood
rather than a conscious projection. I am honestly having a hard time
finding words for this album, it is a journey and a journey I plan to
take again and again. I recommend some albums, but I place this one
in the must own category. Pandemonium truly have out done
themselves.
(Dale
Roy)
