All huff and puff
Dictionaries on stand-by because the over-written press release comes to town once more. On writing the new album Antichrist, "The epithet of the great antagonist provided a wonderful metamorphic framework within which to work." Whatever that is supposed to mean only the band or their PR people will know, I suppose we mortals will just have to sit back and listen.
'Antichrist' is Akercocke's 5th release and, if truth be told, I've had to delay the review of this album because, even though the music is allegedly brutal in nature, compared to listening to Toxic Bonkers (my last review), 'Antichrist' sounded very weedy indeed. In my opinion it was a good decision because my initial loathing of this disc has subsided into a somewhat accepting frame of mind.
This album doesn't help itself by having the worst song as its opener. After the pointless 'Ooo isn't it scary' incoherent devilish speaking in the opening teaser 'Black Messiah', 'Summon the Antichrist' flops in with a feeble attempt at balls to the wall black metal. The song tries to build up pace and sound ferocious but the production is muffled, dull and weak causing the ideas to mush together in a whirl of dry noise. Jason Mendonca's vocals are more like Barry White during an asthma attack and the whole experience seems forced and unconvincing. In fact I would go as far as saying the album is at its weakest when the band try to beef up the proceedings for example on 'Man Without Faith or Trust' and 'The Dark Inside'. As mentioned before the production doesn't help matters but the fast songs are poor compared to the likes of Cradle of Filth, Marduk and Setherial.
The one thing Akercocke do very well is add dashes of progressiveness to their music. When they do this the material is much more interesting and makes the best of the lifeless production. Axiom in particular is a great song that starts with a wonderful acoustic riff and an Anathema style vocal melody. The song builds into several clever sections and even though it contains some attempted brutal riffage it is contained and only lasts for short periods. Even with the rubbish narration at the start of 'The Promise' the song never fails to haunt with it's wailing and steady rhythm. The ravens make an appearance on 'My Apterous Angel' and add that little bit of spice to an already well-written mini epic. Again it has that Anathema feel but it chops and changes perfectly making it the strongest track on this disk.
When Akercocke play their progressive card they sound extremely impressive not only creatively but also inventively. I don't think I've heard ravens cawing on CD before but it works brilliantly and adds an extra layer of atmosphere. It's a pity the band keeps launching into woeful black metal but I think a crisper production and edgier sound may help in this area but as it stands it is the biggest let down on 'Antichrist'. I love the band's image and very gothic English approach to music, they have the tools to make a black metal classic but as it stands this isn't it.