Hornets of the Pogrom

This review was written originally for metalneverlies.webs.com

Somebody once told me that no one makes good Metal anymore, but Hornets of the Pogrom (2008) has to be my #1 argument against that. With their latest release, Arghoslent has earned the title of “Death Metal band with the Sickest Riffs... Ever!” When I heard this CD for the first time, I was a new fan of the band having never heard any of their earlier work. I felt horrible, not knowing of these talented musicians beforehand, but then I put this CD into my player and all feelings of anything were gone, instantly replaced by Headbanging and renewed love for Metal.

A lot of people don't give this band a chance because they deal with lyrical themes that aren't exactly friendly to everyone, that's a damn shame and I actually feel sorry for anyone who would put off listening to this amazing piece of metal because of the lyrical content. For one, it's Death Metal, you don't have to understand what's being said. Secondly, this album is so catchy and awesome that I could headbang to any lyrics Arghoslent feels like recording. Lastly, these aren't even bad lyrics, this band went about what they do pretty intelligently, it's nothing along the lines of “We're racist” or anything...

Anyway, that's enough of an introduction. This is the part of the review that I attempt to capture the goodness of this CD with words:

Put it in, the first song is “In Coffles They Were Led.” This is metal. This is the reason people celebrate Metal Day... If you could imagine the sound in your head, it would be awesome. You would hear killer riffs played back to back, sick drum work throughout the CD, but it's not your typical Death Metal drum work. It sounds like Thrash / Death metal drum work. It's fast, and it's heavy and I don't think I could ask for a better drummer on this album. The vocals are brutal, and powerful. They are also placed so well in the song that it just adds to the catchyness.

“Swills of the Knave” showcases the band's low end with some awesome bass lines and some more riffs that are so fitting, and I can hear the Black/Doom influence in them. “Manacled Freightage” is another amazing song that has more of an upbeat feel to it. This is one of the best songs that displays the band's ability to play catchy riffs inspired by classic Heavy Metal. The next track is more of the same, but different and fresh with a powerful, melodic guitar solo that makes me feel like I could be in the song. Track five is entitled “Dog and Broom,” and it's back to good ol' Death metal, but it's still catchy, and I still can't stop headbanging. And the drums never let up, it's amazing.

Yes, listening through the rest of the CD, one can tell that this isn't your typical Death metal. It's fresh, it's exciting, and it's catchy. There isn't one boring or dull part of this album. Arghoslent wraps this up with the epic title track “Hornets of the Pogrom” - an instrumental song, and “The Grenadier” - which is more of this band's catchy and headbangable riffs which you will love.

If someone tells you that nobody is out there making quality metal anymore, have them listen to some tracks from Hornets of the Pogrom (2008), a both enjoyable and memorable Death metal CD that every metalhead owes a listen to.