Throcult--Stormbringer - Conjuration Of The Nighthorde
Crash Music 2004
Genre bending can be a risky musical proposition. However, when it works, the payoff always far outweighs the risk. So it goes for Throcult. On their second album Stormbringer - Conjuration Of The Nighthorde, the band bring together two distinct styles in an unholy union of heavy. Both schools of thought are sure to hail the outcome.
Throcult's sound is a marriage of the black and death metal forms. Stormbringer - Conjuration Of The Nighthorde keeps a frantic pace, alternating between blastbeat and double bass shudder, relentless shifts in riff and time signature always assuring interest for the listener. It should be noted these guys definitely lean more towards the blackend end of the spectrum, but their death metal references are prominent enough to give this disc a real sense of depth. Connoisseurs from both camps will find much to like in Throcult.
As sustained as Stormbringer - Conjuration Of The Nighthorde is in its ferocity, the dynamic moments here are the ones that stand out most. "Blood Of Thy Enemy" sports a very brief acoustic guitar flourish that provides a brilliant and tasteful contrast to the palm muted chug that follows. The album's best cut, "Through Fog Of War," also utilizes a quick acoustic burst but ups the ante with a dose of female vocals, giving the whole thing an Into The Pandemonium-era Celtic Frost slant. Throcult even manage to produce moments of freaked out jazz-based riffing amongst the pile of licks that comprise the opening "Vortex Of Fire - Ashes Of Winter."
Stormbringer - Conjuration Of The Nighthorde is certainly worth your time, if either of the aforementioned styles appeal to you. Throcult are able to bring the heavy without losing sight of how important craftsmanship is--not a trait very widespread, these days. If you're weak of constitution, tread with caution--this is suffocatingly evil stuff.
Score this CD directly from CRASH MUSIC
|
