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Bloodthorn: Genocide

27/04/06 || Statik Majik

I have to admit that I never heard of these Norwegian metallers before, but giving this album one listen-thru tells me more than needed: Bloodthorn knows how to fucken rock. “Genocide” is a solid death metal release with a tad of blackness in it. And that’s a mix I usually enjoy.

The intro has something Dimmu Borgirish (Yeah, fuck you too, that IS a word) in it, and I fucken dig it. The 2nd track starts off with fast drumming and guitarwork. At first I thought this would be black metal in vein of Dark Funeral, which quite honestly is just a bit too fast when it comes to music for me to enjoy. Fortunate for me, the song reduces the pace just a bit and it becomes obvious that this really is death metal we’re dealing with after all.

Or is it…?

After repeated listens I have to admit that I’m not really sure anymore. Let’s just say that it’s a death/black metal hybrid with more weight over to the the death metal side of stuff. The main-thing is that this is fucken good, no matter how you want to label it.

There’s a few “slower” tracks, like “They will arise” or “Hell on the Eastern front”, which are the ones I enjoy the most. But generally, “Genocide” is filled with fast and even faster tracks. “Blood and iron” or “Sacrificial slaughter”, just to name a few that I… well, enjoy. I don’t know why, but there’s minor Zyklon/Morbid Angel vibe on this release. And that, my dear readers, is meant as a huge compliment. John Holmes huge.

Fuck me for being a retard, but I just can’t pinpoint the best nor the worst tracks off “Genocide”. If you didn’t already understand it, this happens to be good release. Take my word for it. It is heavy. And fast. Does it have blastbeats? Sure, every once in a while. Bludgeoning guitar-riffs? Absofuckenlutely. Brutal vocals? You got it. It has all the aspects it takes to create a killer-album. Although 50 minutes of this kind of mayhem is just a bit too exhausting for me. Yes, I’m obviously getting old here.

There’s only two downsides on this piece; the production and the vocals. They’re not bad, pretty far from it. But they could be better. First of all, the guitars sound too thin for my taste. I’m a sucker for massive guitars, and that’s not what Bloodthorn offers here. And the general sound/production of the album is a bit too muddy for my liking. Strong emphasis on the word “a bit” because it still doesn’t suck. I personally would have appreciated a slightly “cleaner” sound though.

And last, the vocals: they’re not “guttural” enough, if you get my drift. Krell is a damn good vocalist, but just an ounce more of “lowness” in the voice wouldn’t hurt. Needless to say that in any music like this, you need to be fucken Sherlock Holmes in order to find any bass in it, but I suppose it’s there, sometimes. At least I think I hear it a few times, but it could also be my imagination. So sue me. But I’m sure they at least had a bass in the studio, whether they used it or not though… I don’t know.

If you’re into bands like Behemoth, Zyklon or Morbid Angel, I recommend checking this fucker out. Seriously, you might enjoy it. At least I did.

7,5 /10

Information
Released: 2006
Label: Morningstar Records
Website: www.bloodthorn.net
Band
Krell: vocals
Ihizahg: guitars
Harald: bass
Jehmod: drums

Tracklist
01. ...For those whose time has come (Intro)
02. Blood and iron
03. Invoking the Apocalypse
04. Nightmare of violence
05. They will arise
06. Forced selfmutilation
07. Sacrifical slaughter
08. Hell on the eastern front
09. Monolith of the dead

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