Guignol Noir "Ritual of Initiation"

If Horna and Bethlehem made and out and had a baby it would be Guignol Noir.  I guess this combination of raw, yet well structured BM and ritualistic/bonkers vocal styles isn't an accidental birth either.  Over two tracks Guignol Noir scorch their way through this EP in a blistering yet controlled manner.  Opening track "Pact" ebbs and flows like a nefarious tide of pure evil, churning up contorted melodies that crash on icy cold shores.  Second track"Await My Order" is a whirlwind of riffs and thundering drums which assaults you for two and a half minutes before slowing down to more of a maul of your very soul; smothering bass and some solid drumming forcing you into submission.

The band indicate that every copy of their CD has been "touched by the dead".  Sounds like the dead had more than a quick fumble in the studio too.

4/5

The Link
Guignol Noir Bandcamp

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Excommunion "Thronosis"

Image
Fifteen years ago I was twenty six, out of the metal scene and therefore ignorant to Colorado death metallers Excommunion and their debut album "Superion".  According to the internet this release was reasonably good and now, a mere decade and a half later on the band have finally gotten round a sophomore full length release. I suppose that given such a period of time it would be forgivable for them to have a sophomore slump really, however I am pleasantly surprised by "Thronosis".  Now don't get me wrong, the wheel doesn't get reinvented here, not at all.  But then that's not the point to the record I suspect.  "Thronosis" means "initiation ritual" and although it could be argued the music world has changed significantly since they last ventured with a release there's no real requirement for any initiation back into the world of death metal for Excommunion.  These boys can play, they can do death metal very well and they
Read more

Megadeth "Dystopia"

Image
It has been 33 years since Megadeth first formed.  In those three decades of line up changes, drug abuse, fallouts and increasing political awareness Megadeth have always still remained for me on the fringes of my thrash metal tastes.  After the first 3 albums which I enjoyed immensely, I was totally bemused then (and still am now) by the worship for "Rust In Peace" in 1990.  "Countdown To Extinction" fared better in these ears but still that was my last Megadeth album purchase.  Nothing happened release wise for me until I stumbled across "Endgame" in 2009 which I actually thoroughly enjoyed, with its showy guitar antics and solid song structures it kept me entertained. It's fair to say that Megadeth are a different band to the duo that first came together back in 83, however "Dystopia" instantly captures something that was lacking in the bands two previous releases. Energy.  Four tracks in and the racing plod of "Death From Within&qu
Read more

End Of Year List - Countdown - Number 6

Image
Number 6 - Altarage "Nihl" The surprise I gave myself when I placed this filth-infested slab of raw and murky death metal outside of my top five this year is testimony to how strong a year it has been release wise.  "Nihl" tilted back my head and shat right down my throat before slamming my jaws shut and continuously strike my in the throat until I swallowed every last drop of their vileness.  A well delivered if not completely original take on an established genre.  Fuckin A!
Read more