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MOUTH OF MADNESS “Event Horizon”
MOUTH OF MADNESS “Event Horizon”
By Dr. Abner Mality
Although the history of Germany’s MOUTH OF MADNESS goes back to 2013, “Event Horizon” will be most people’s introduction to them. I know it was for me. You can hear some maturity in this record, as it sounds like the output of a seasoned outfit. The most startling thing about the band is that they added three ambient instrumentals to the album. In itself, that’s nothing new, but MOUTH OF MADNESS didn’t write those tracks themselves. They got the legendary POPUL VUH to do all three “Transhimalaya” instrumentals. Yes, the guys who did the soundtrack to Herzog’s “Aguirre The Wrath of God” in the early 70’s contributed to this album. That was an eye opener right there.
“Transhimalaya 1 and 2” were pretty brief and inconsequential tunes, but the album ending “Transhimalaya 3” is lush, mysterious and all-enveloping. This is POPUL VUH at its very best and I’m glad MOUTH OF MADNESS brought them aboard. But what of M.O.M. itself? Well, they are no let down either. The opening chords of “Sex And Thanatos” automatically bring the primitive fury of HELLHAMMER to mind, but this song slows down to a doomy pace reminiscent of DARKTHRONE. Is “Event Horizon” a record of primitive pounding? Seems that way at first, but the band’s approach is deception. “Year Of The Dog” keeps some of that vibe, but switches up riffs more and adds a kind of wintry early black metal feel. The riffing and gruff vocals are excellent in a subtle way.
The HELLHAMMERisms recede somewhat as the album proceeds. “In The Heart of the Unknown” starts with trebly simple arpeggios and builds into something more complex from there. “Worms” is a twisty, turny track that brings an elder metal name to mind...Switzerland’s “other” avant-garde metallers MESSIAH! Longest track “Fireborn” wanders through Middle Eastern style simple but effective riffs to a strong climax. This one really chews its way into your grey matter. “Masaan” pounds away with more caveman type tiffs and strong tribal drumming. MOUTH OF MADNESS keep things simple and yet not so simple throughout...that’s a cool trick. Album finishes up with that haunting POPUL VUH instrumental.
A nice discovery here and a band that has a future if they choose to pursue it full-time.
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