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Iugulatus: Satanic pride
12/02/14 || cadenz
Polish black metal rears its ugly head again, this time in the shape of Iugulatus. In its five-year-existence since forming in 2009, the band has already managed to release three full-length albums, a split EP, and change their name. Since late 2012, they are called Architect of Disease, but for this album, still, they were the one and only Slit-Your-Throat-In-Latin Iugulatus.
What we’re treated to is a malignant and somewhat incoherent stew of thrashy and disharmonically melodic black metal, with a few nods towards the Scandinavian school of black/death metal. Tremolo picking is the name of game, as a plethora of monotonous and dissonant-sounding riffs with the energy of a rabid, charging bull (and sadly, the IQ equivalent of one as well) alternate with more rhythmic parts, that incorporate some semi-sophisticated and moderately intricate melodies and harmonies in the vein of Mörk Gryning or Dissection. The majority of the riffs could be used as universal definitions of mediocrity, but once in a while a catchy guitar part or genial arrangement pops up, and piques your interest enough to keep listening and waiting for the next moment of clarity.
The overall feeling permeating “Satanic Pride” is one of confusion, as a common theme all songs have is the inability to create a linear flow that is easy to follow. Riffs are stacked one upon the other with no apparent regard taken to the big picture, and momentum is often lost in transitions. Stylistically you can get a thrash riff followed by punk bashing, then a heavy metal lead and next is some blasting. Maybe you should go easier on the amphetamine next time, boys? Another discernible negative red thread is the modal monotony, all the songs and almost all riffs are played in the same key. I really can’t understand why so many bands make this same mistake over and over again. Moving a riff to another key is one of the easiest possible ways to create variation, and still most guitar riffs are played in the key to which your lowest string is tuned. That’s more than just a little sad.
The production is thankfully spared of reverb overuse. With music this rhythmic and, at times, hyperactively arranged, you don’t wanna mush up everything. Porridge is for plates, not ears. The guitars are maybe just a tad too high in the mix, otherwise I like this (given, more death metal-like) sound picture. The vocals are pretty average 50-50 death metal growling and black metal screaming. There’s nothing special about any of the instrumental accomplishments either, OK musicianship all around, with a slight nod of approval to the drummer.
When God (read: I, or possibly Mario Lemieux) created mediocrity, he placed Iugulatus, blindfolded, right next to it. In mortal terms: if you’re looking for some slightly above-average black metal, that doesn’t really know where it’s going, try “Satanic Pride”. Or don’t.
- Information
- Released: 2012
- Label: The End of Time Records
- Website: Iugulatus Facebook
- Band
- Balrog: vocals
- Markiz: guitars
- Matys: guitars
- Morbid M.: bass
- Wojtass: drums
- Primal: ambient sounds (session)
- Tracklist
- 01. Satanic Pride
- 02. Chaos Invocation
- 03. Beware the Flame of Undun
- 04. Black Song of Necromancy
- 05. Demons Lust
