Very excited for this. Devil Is Fine really blew me away. A unique and refreshing sound.

My favorite of the singles yet. I really had 0 hope this would beat The Devil is Fine but it just might!!

^Large parts of that (like the vocal melodies) remind me of the crap I remember hearing on Q-Music (the most commercial bullshit radio station in Belgium.) Downright awful song if you ask me. I was really hoping this band would refine their sound and fulfill the potential shown in the previous album, but it seems that won't be the case.

(Yes, I know I will get lots of hate for this.)

Written by Zap on 26.05.2018 at 14:27

^Large parts of that (like the vocal melodies) remind me of the crap I remember hearing on Q-Music (the most commercial bullshit radio station in Belgium.) Downright awful song if you ask me. I was really hoping this band would refine their sound and fulfill the potential shown in the previous album, but it seems that won't be the case.

I get what you are saying though... It really sounds watered down and really mainstream. Mind you that I don't care if my music is mainstream but it just sounds like it lacks personality and it's just another radio song with harsher guitar tone. I hope the rest of the album will be much better. :\

Written by X-Ray Rod on 26.05.2018 at 19:26

I get what you are saying though... It really sounds watered down and really mainstream. Mind you that I don't care if my music is mainstream but it just sounds like it lacks personality and it's just another radio song with harsher guitar tone. I hope the rest of the album will be much better. :\

I'm honestly kind of relieved I'm not the only one. Though I would of course much rather be among those who enjoy this new track
And I agree, I don't care if something I like happens to be mainstream, but saying something sounds mainstream usually means it's bland, derivative and without character. Because that's what most mainstream music is like.

Yeah you're not the only one, that's downright shitty. Doesn't sound anything like the Zeal and Ardor I know.

So it's Creed with tremolo picking?
Well.. Better than just Creed I guess.

Still looking forward to the whole

Party poopers. off with you.

Written by InnerSelf on 27.05.2018 at 03:40

Party poopers. off with you.

I'm on your side, I liked it quite a bit. I'm not sure I'd compare it to Creed, reminds me a lot more of modern RnB/Pop (made me think of that John Legend song that was really popular a few years ago) mixed with the BM guitars and the Z&A production style. Wouldn't want a whole album of it but it's the last song on the record and I think it could act as a nice conclusion. Anyway, from the songs released so far, looks like it's going to be an eclectic album, which is nice, because when I saw them on tour last year, all the songs that weren't from Devil Is Fine seemed to follow a very similar structure, this variety is a good thing

It's good music. Maybe not as metal and not so out of bounds as a part of me would want it, but if I don't see it through these lenses it's really good.

The new songs sound incredible live so i have high hopes for this.

Even better than the last one.

I think it's great, honestly. The few tracks that were released to Youtube didn't do the album justice. "Don't You Dare" and "Row Row" are personal favorites.

Yeah I'm digging it. Still not sure anything here quite matches "In Ashes" for perfectly matching up both sides of the sound (black metal/soul), but generally the songwriting is more natural here, and there's enough variety to mix things up beyond the 'typical songs', in particular the dainty instrumental "Hermit". And the songs that fit the style you'd expect are pretty much all solid, particularly "Row Row" and "Ship On Fire".

I just don't get this band.

Written by progpiggy on 10.06.2018 at 11:50

I just don't get this band.

Good to know.

#1 now, huh? That probably won't last long

Written by Auntie Sahar on 03.07.2018 at 07:14

#1 now, huh? That probably won't last long

Marduk has passed it again already

This album rules. And Built On Ashes is a killer closer, ESPECIALLY in context of the theme of the music.

And I might get shit for saying this, but this album, to me, cements this band as being the most interesting metal band the US has produced in years. Referencing the dark history of America in such an angry, cynical way through the very appropriate genre blend of black metal and emotionally complex African American-originated music may seem too on-the-nose for some, but I think it's punk rock as shit. \m/

Man, this album is a huge surprise! Love it! The concept of the band is so unique and incredible, never heard anything like it before.

The production of Stranger Fruits is a HUGE improvement over Devil Is Fine. The album still keeps that old-timey vocal feel without sacrificing audio quality. Furthermore, the songwriting - specifically the lyrics - is insanely good. Superb album. My only gripe really is there is a lot of filler tracks and that they didn't re-record Baphomet with the amazing production this album has.

Highlights: Row Row, Ship On Fire, Don't You Dare & Built On Ashes.

When I heard Devil is Fine album it blew me away. My expectations were really high for this one. And that has been the doom of this album for me. It falls short of the melodies that was there in the last album. I liked Row Row and Don't You Dare. Rest of the songs are also good but does not capture the magic of the last album. I think the success of their last album got to them.

Disregarding the band's origins, as circumstance alone might lend a means for misguided prejudice (as opposed to guided prejudice, I suppose) the material speaks for itself. It's not often such strangely juxtaposed content works so marvelously, but that's specifically where Stranger Fruit shines, with an exceptional level of accessible songwriting prowess to boot.

Combining catchy cinematic soul music with black metal's fervent energy and scornful aggression, this album dances violently on the graves of slaves long since dead but not forgotten, conjuring up centuries of spite and promised vengeance in a carefully prepared package. You get all the intensity of harrowing shrieks and rapid blastbeats, masterfully mixed in a way that blankets even the most extreme moments in a thick fuzz.

It doesn't take long for the music to get its legs beneath it, and once the momentum is established, it carries on relentlessly with only mild pauses to let you catch your breath. That constant energy is enough to keep even the most squirrel-chasing amphetamine-addled brain entertained. It settles down slightly towards the end with more atmospheric tunes, but never loses sight of where it wants to go.

Not often does the metal genre offer much by way of fun, but this is one of those albums that covers a wide array of desires, catering most importantly to the need for enjoying oneself while listening. There are some definite bangers in Don't You Dare, Fire of Motion, and Row Row, to name a few, but every song is its own little world of hate-infused groove and anarchy.

Imagine burning down a church and sitting around the dying flames with your friends as if it were a communal campfire, singing spirituals to commemorate historical and systemic hardships tailored specifically to your ethnic group, purging generations of built-up resentment for a mere 45 minutes, then going around your small town flipping all those burning crosses on the lawns upside down and spray painting pentagrams on every trailer in sight.

Disturbingly exhilarating.

Anytime I listen to this again, it's just sounding fresh again as the first time I heard it. Seriously, one of the records that I definitely buy the Vinyl. Very memorable that I often catch myself humming some of the songs.

Written by Karlabos on 26.05.2018 at 23:32

So it's Creed with tremolo picking?

I haven't listened yet, but god I hope so.

Really awesome this album. I really liked this concept 'cause I like blues, soul and those genres... A fresh breath in black metal music.

I'm usually a fan when you mash up black metal; BM + US Western = Wayfarer, Jazz/blues influences = Polish BM scene such as Mgła Odraza Kriegsmaschine etc, middle eastern = Melechesh, Gregorian chants = Batushka, there are others but I'm feeling lazy, anyway, this album is dope