Wrathrash

I never heard of this band before I saw this at the record store. The sleeve said "True Norwegian Black Metal," so I decided to check it out. And that's exactly what it is. It probably can be compared to Gorgoroth, because it has some of the guys who were in that band. But I have not heard much Gorgoroth other than Pentagram and Antichrist. This is definitely not black metal that you want to relax to, like old Dimmu Borgir. I call this aggressive black metal, because it sounds violent. The production sounds raw. This does not mean it sounds like shit, though. Maybe if they were making more complicated music with that production it would sound like shit. But it fits just right for this aggressive sort of metal.

The title track is really aggressive and in your face. This must be listened to loudly. The song is based on a simple but effective guitar riff. This is energetic black metal that kind of borders on thrash, because it makes you want to bang your head. Especially during the parts where the guy yells "Wrathrash."

The b-side is not as memorable as "Wrathrash." This song, according to the info on the Metal Archives, was written and sung by a different guy than the first song. It has possibly more complex guitar work, but it just doesn't make you want to thrash like the first song does. Plus it's even shorter than the first song. I often find myself listening only to "Wrathrash," because I just don't feel like flipping the record over to hear a two minute song.

Perhaps the closest black metal comparison to this that I can think of is this: Imagine the aggressiveness of Emperor's "I am the Black Wizards," (the raw sounding EP version) minus the keyboards, and minus the slow parts. This is not beautiful music; and it does not transport me to older times, like "Dark Medieval Times" or "Hvis Lyset Tar Oss." This music just makes me want to bang my head or pound some beer or break something.

This is a very short release, but this band is worth checking out if you are a metalhead (you probably are, reading this). It's refreshing to come across a "raw" black metal band that doesn't sound like a boring Darkthrone ripoff, and a Norwegian band these days that does not have Hellhammer on drums!