Anaal Nathrakh

Vanitas

The long and potted history of extreme metal emanating from the environs of Birmingham has been mined since time began (the 70's). Anaal Nathrakh add to the mass of metal that has emerged from that unique city by taking the sound further, heavier, and faster than anybody bar Napalm Death has ever taken it before.

They started as a studio-based black metal band, but have slowly evolved to incorporate different aspects into their sound, taking from grindcore and industrial to carve out their own foetid path of bleak rage. Their unique sound is probably best demonstrated by the song 'In Coelo Quies, Tout Finis Ici Bas'; it has the nihilistic anger of black metal, with a doomy riff, moving into straight grindcore for the verses, culminating in a massive chorus, made for singing with fists in the air - everything that extreme metal should be.

Their inclusive sound comes from their members - between them, scene veterans Mick Kenney (aka Irrumator) and Dave Hunt (aka V.I.T.R.I.O.L) have been responsible for the creation, production and promotion of some of the most influential metal bands in the current scene, including Benediction, Mistress, Fukpig, Napalm Death, Lock Up, and Ramesses among others.

'Todos Somo Humanos' starts with a riff that can't quite keep up with Irrumator's frenzied drumming and slowly becomes pure chaos, with animalistic shrieks and a guitar solo that does more in ten seconds than Kerry King could do in a minute. 'You Can't Save Me So Stop Fucking Trying' and 'Make Glorious The Embrace of Saturn' are both modern industrial masterclasses that sound like The Berzerker having a nervous breakdown with Rammstein riffs, the latter in particular nodding to the German giants with militaristic, precise guitar ripping through a few of the verses. 'To Spite The Face' and 'Forging Towards The Sunset' return to straight black metal, in the same general area as Wolves in the Throne Room, but a little more traditional, if no less epic.

'Of Fire and Fucking Pigs' best shows off what V.I.T.R.I.O.L. can do with his voice; sounding more effective for seemingly being screams of pure wordless rage. Perhaps it's a good thing that Anaal Nathrakh don't publish their lyrics - knowing what he's screaming wouldn't add to what the band has produced here.

Anaal Nathrakh deserve your attention, in case that hasn't already been made clear. Look at the pedigree of the blokes in the band; you need a slice of this, and where better to start?  

#Albums #Anaal Nathrakh #Candlelight #extreme metal #Rob Batchelor