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AKHOTH “Of Might and Hierarchy”
AKHOTH “Of Might and Hierarchy”
by Octopi Mills
I seem to have a penchant for these Signal Rex records reviews. The label has certainly released many great releases that are true to the black metal caste. I begin to wonder if black metal is not another mental illness before I even listen to this album but the promo write up is tight and no nonsense, as always.Not much is mentioned in the promotional values, and it will be handled as such; album only, music only.
Within seconds it is plain that this holds the flame of old obscure BM and with Signal Rex this is usual. The hunger of the music doesn't care how well you care about what metal is or will be but here it rather just IS. Spikes, leather, black clothes, old records...this is what is important here. Names adopted from the Lesser keys of Solomon, or the Goetia, as is, would not surprise me. The production is of olden times; the sound, the vibes, everything. And in the end that's what should be had for some us old freaks.
I'll tell you this, when I am out in the night camping or driving or walking and I want to hear old school BM, this is it, for something new (OLD). Vocals that are nearly inaudible, lyrics you'll never decipher, and all making a nice cauldron of boiling soup, it is the way. Will I return to this? It is possible. I've noticed that in BM or even old folk or goth acts that some of the best are the ones who are lovers or copiers of the style as too often the originals turn away from such greatness that made them great in the first place. It is ironic but some of the best demos and albums are obscure. They aren't songs that are usually stand alone as in a traditional folk genre, say, but as a whole they create a hell of an audiobook or story. I know that a lot of times this sort of thing in this context never works live even if it was recorded live but what a ride these sort of "roman candles" can be.
"OATH OF BLOOD AND IRON" is my favorite, and it's a mere acoustic sort of medieval piece, but it is certainly there and sets the mood. Signal Rex might possibly be one of the greatest modern BM labels of all now and I am going now to check out the place properly for tapes and vinyl. I'll cap off this old welly hell by saying that if they imitate the old style this good and keep all the good feel and aesthetics that I care not who makes the laws. They will be replaced, these old legends, by their fans if they are not careful. I love the feel and doubt they will do an interview but someone should just shoot for an interview with Signal Rex.
"The age of obscurity has ended. The hierarchy stands revealed."
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