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S.V.E.S.T. > Coagula (L'Ether du Diable) > Reviews
S.V.E.S.T. - Coagula (L'Ether du Diable)

Extreme and intense compilation is overwhelming - 75%

NausikaDalazBlindaz, April 2nd, 2007

This is a compilation of demos and various songs that may have come from split records done with other bands, some of the music dating back to 1998. These songs are very much in the style of early Norwegian black metal: the tremolo guitars are fast, noisy and chaotic, the drumming is just as fast and often very primitive and just bang-bang-banging, and the singing is aggressive and full of hate with just a bit of reverb as if the other guys in the band found it necessary to isolate the vocalist in a metal-framed mine shaft deep underground - for their own benefit! The pace of the music can vary, often within the one song, allowing for some sweeping or even verging-on-catchy melody before it gets blown off by another full-on blastbeat attack. On a few tracks where lead guitar appears, it has a piercing, spider-like tone that is a bit like early Mayhem guitarist Euronymous' work on "De Mysteriis Dom Sathanas".

Admittedly the five tracks can sound pretty much alike. Track 1 starts off with about two minutes of repetitive folk melody with a strong mediaeval flavour before it launches straight into the BM maelstrom. Track 2 has a bit of a seesaw rhythm early on and then careens all over the place in pace and rhythm: the fastest and the slowest parts of the cd are all here! Percussion is also all over the house yet amazingly the musicians all keep in time together no matter how really chaotic and messy it all seems to be.

Track 3 has a very raw sound (the production here is really lo-fi) which suits the band's aggression. Vocals are now roaring, the lead guitar is sparking everywhere and the drums are more hard-hitting than ever. On track 4, the blunt production makes the singing more raspy and harsh than ever; there are some excellent rhythms here with almost booming drums. The sound quality improves on Track 5 and like the other songs, this is fast and furious, only this time the singing seems extra-ugly but that may be simply because it's more upfront in the mix. In comparison with the earlier tracks too, this last track is more minimalist and repetitive so listeners can actually follow it.

Well it has to be said that this collection is one for the SVEST fans as the music is overwhelming and all over the place, and as songs aren't consistent in themselves so the entire cd is like several variations on one long noisy track. With the band sprawling everywhere and their approach being so intense, the listener can get lost in the chaotic guitar noise storms. However if you love very extreme and intense music overflowing with anger, hostility and hate, and you don't mind sheer chaos for 40 straight minutes where concepts like songcraft and music structures are thrown out the window, this collection should suit you. If you don't know SVEST at all, best steer clear of this or just listen to the actual demos by themselves.