Album Review: Necrowretch The Ones From Hell (Season of Mist)
France’s Necrowretch impresses the hell out of listeners with their latest offering on Season on Mist records. In fact, right from the opener, “Pure Hellfire,” the band makes a massive statement with punchy blackened death goodness. A rather new sound for this band, I immediately heard lots of Destroyer 666 type riffage and essences of Kampfar tremolo that just so fervently drew me in.
“Luciferian Sovranty” is a slightly faster track, at least during the verses, that presents a hefty dose of groove as well. The band hits this sweet spot between brutality and restraint – just enough. Beyond the many layers of sound and wall of tremolo, there are an array of time changes and novel drum beats that help distinguish Necrowretch’s brand of black metal from so many others.
The title track really demonstrates the musicianship and musicality that this band can present in its current incarnation. “The Ones From Hell” opens with a creepy and foreboding guitar intro that then takes the listener to more familiar territory with some really interesting vocal cadence from Vlad.
Perhaps one of the most notable tracks is the doomy, funeral like “Codex Obscuritas” that has an opening two minutes reminiscent a bit of bands like Cathedral, of course with a heavy dose of filth on top of it. This is one of those songs that you need to listen to in the middle of the dark night, somewhere close to a dingy, unkempt graveyard for full effect.
Overall, the band presents a very notable release and perhaps their strongest, most accessible work to date for those who are into black metal and blackened death, like myself. While the band’s earlier more death metal-related work was quite good, Necrowretch really impress here with just how well they can take a turn into a new, darker, grimier sound.
The Ones From Hell releases on February 14, 2020 on Season of Mist records and can be ordered here.
If you’re lucky enough to be in Europe in March and early April you can catch this French trio opening for Taake and Kampfar. That’s a show worth traveling for, without a doubt.
