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Benighted In Sodom - Reverse Baptism review




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Reviewer:
7.5

7 users:
6.86
Band: Benighted In Sodom
Album: Reverse Baptism
Release date: March 2011


01. Sweetness Depraved
02. Chains Of Bliss
03. Try To Forget Us
04. Flauros
05. Ocean I
06. Ocean II
07. Reverse Baptism

Matron Thorn, perhaps the busiest depressive black metal musician aside from Kim Carlsson, is at it again with Reverse Baptism. Of course Benighted In Sodom isn't really comparable to Hypothermia (or Lifelover for that matter), as BIS is a more melodic vehicle of expression and the average album isn't "mired" by extremely raw production values, but it's a fact both musicians are responsible for releasing a ton of albums in a relatively short time (10 full-lengths in 4 years, for instance).

Quantity in this case doesn't necessarily relate to poor quality. In fact, Thorn's consistency is something to marvel at: having toyed with atmospheres and emotions, he has managed to avoid stagnation. The sound itself on this album isn't unlike anything Benighted In Sodom have released before; however, it still offers enough variety to keep the average listener interested - at least, if you're the worthless, self-pitying scum-of-the-earth kind of person this genre makes you feel like you need to be in order to appreciate it in the first place.

Typical lyrical content (themes of hate, self-loathing, and suicide) is overshadowed by some truly murky guitar melodies, as the album makes a slow crawl for the finish line, stopping momentarily for some blastbeat mayhem and venomous self-loathing. Thorn's focus on creating an almost soothing atmosphere somewhat contradicts his truly vulgar vocal performance, but overall the pseudo-ethereal ambience makes for a less hostile album. This could of course result in a backlash from some of the true crusaders, but there are enough satisfactory by-the-number black metal elements that should keep most of the vultures at bay.

Realistically this album will likely fly under the black metal radar for 2011, but as a primarily atmospheric depressive black metal release, Reverse Baptism will definitely please fans of the style and keep Thorn's reputation as a workaholic alive.


Rating breakdown
Performance: 8
Songwriting: 8
Originality: 6
Production: 8





Written on 24.04.2011 by I'm total pro; that's what I'm here for.


Comments

Comments: 4   Visited by: 159 users
24.04.2011 - 11:50
Merchant of Doom

I really enjoyed this... actually, quite surprised by it. It's varied enough to keep you interested and I think the songwriting is quite remarkable in places, although a bit inconsistent. I would give it an 8...

EDIT: just seen you gave it a 6 for originality, but as a DBM album I don't think it's the usual average boring fare...
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24.04.2011 - 13:53
KwonVerge
Odysseus
Wanted to try this, but i thought something like, ANOTHER ALBUM?! and let it waiting I'll work on giving it a listen ^-^
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Dec. 30, 1334.

...And the whiskey and wine entered our veins when blood was too weak to carry on.
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24.04.2011 - 17:52
Troy Killjoy
perfunctionist
Written by Merchant of Doom on 24.04.2011 at 11:50

EDIT: just seen you gave it a 6 for originality, but as a DBM album I don't think it's the usual average boring fare...

I don't think it's completely unoriginal, but it does sound similar enough to previous albums that I wouldn't give it anything higher.

Written by KwonVerge on 24.04.2011 at 13:53

Wanted to try this, but i thought something like, ANOTHER ALBUM?! and let it waiting I'll work on giving it a listen ^-^

Ya if you like any of the other releases you'll probably enjoy this. I think the atmosphere is more blatant this time around, but overall the songs don't sound like they're composed by a totally different artist.
----
"Wise men talk because they have something to say; fools because they have to say something."
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25.04.2011 - 10:52
Merchant of Doom

Written by Troy Killjoy on 24.04.2011 at 17:52


Ya if you like any of the other releases you'll probably enjoy this. I think the atmosphere is more blatant this time around, but overall the songs don't sound like they're composed by a totally different artist.


yes, it's the atmosphere which is different and I like this album more for that reason...
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