...Scream, Pray, Beg...

Thirty-something black metal interpreters typically feel a certain nostalgia for thrash metal, one of the first styles they listened during their teenage years. Raw energy released by this music, its juvenile nihilism and its legendary anthems have permeated an indelible seal on an entire generation of musicians. So it’s no surprise that many black metal bands are clearly inspired by this kind of music for their own compositions. Exploiting this fertile ground, Moscow-based Todestriebe launches its first album called Scream, Pray, Beg (2012), which undoubtedly recalls some 1980s great classics, merged with ferocious and uncompromising black metal.

More than two years were needed to produce this first record, which however only lasts about thirty minutes (including an atmospheric introduction and conclusion). While it would have probably been cleaver to launch this release as an EP, its content deserves some attention. Powerful right from the start, songs take strength over the album’s course. True to thrash spirit, titles are short, full of big riffs and filled with testosterone, without neglecting the epicness and grandeur of traditional black metal. Song writing effort is pretty good and results in great melodies, and many passages are fully designed to destroy any given neck. Fuck With Darkness and Christian Slut – best songs on the album – are shining examples of this: it is pretty easy to conceive a monstrous mosh pit during their live interpretation.

Todestriebe is carving itself a small place in European underground, as evidenced by their participation to the prestigious Carpathian Alliance Metal Festival 2012, and other similar events in Russia and Ukraine. Unfortunately a bit too short, Scream, Pray, Beg could still allow them to consolidate this position and catch some serious labels’ attention. I suggest you explore this album by wearing your old patch jacket with a big beer in hand. It will surely bring back lots of memories if you are an old fuck like me. 7/10

Originally written for Métal Obscur.