Necronemesis

Compared to many of the Celtic Frost inspired "grunt and slide" bands Usurper crunch, maim and doom along like few others can even attempt to match. Intelligent yet thuggish, drunken yet right on time...Usurper are one of the few black metal bands that didn't turn into a former shadow of themselves upon aging. "Necronemesis" may not be the brilliant record that was "..Season" but it's skill very good. As usual, the production is well spaced and accurate (though may favorite drum sound got dumped), the playing is spot on and the vocals are the groaning death-chants I've come to love over the years. Yes children, Usurper came to kill...

Aside from the wonderful King Diamond guested title track the killer tracks on this CD include the clean-vocal (?!) attack of "The Incubus Breed", the great "Deathwish" and the death-groan of "Funeral Waters". Nothing on this CD sucks...at all. Usurper keep their crown as the most consistent and wonderful of black metal bands and this rides the winds of hell to remain at a "cult" status that is far too small for these blokes. The only misstep is a certain lack of "mood" compared to the other CD's but this is a minor quibble. The performance and writing are wonderful.

Usurper have done it again...and again. Consistent, deadly, violent and better than Celtic Frost post-Morbid Tales the band has outdone their heroes 100%. I love this CD almost as much as I love the early ones, and all fans of black, doom or death should also check out this coffin-creak of a release.

BUY OR DIE!!!