First review:
Quote:
HERFST - NECROTICA
CD2008
After a well received demo, which secured them many underground fans, a debut album was only a matter of time.
That being said, some things seem to have been changed.
For a start, the former vocalist has been replaced by new singer Void. Whereas the old vocals tended to sound shrill and monotonous, you will be glad to hear that they are now an atmospheric amalgam of grunts, clean parts and bone-shivering melancholia.
The new vocal style seems to fit in with the horror concept that the band has embedded in the music. It's pretty clear that there is an analogy with Herfst and Lovecraft inspired bands such as The Vision Bleak and Septic Flesh, mainly due to the atmospheric similarities.
That aside, there are far more references than the horror sub-genre alone. It's mainly the guitar and drum work that opens up new horizons for the album. The melodic parts that we recognise from the Gothenburg scene are drenched in a brutal coating and at times the music is reminiscent of bands like Hypocrisy and At the Gates. However these moments are brief, as the setting can change from aggressive to doomy in no time at all. Each song has its own depths and influences while maintaining an original sound. This makes it rather difficult to categorize "Necrotica" under one specific genre, as with each spin you'll discover something new.
Technically, things have vastly improved . The production is clear and suits the music perfectly. The only minor flaw that I could find is the rather silent snare drum. Luckily this is quickly forgotten when you encounter the playful, warm and at times diabolical solos provided by lead guitarist Bram. Throw in epic drums, sheer vocal melancholy and you've got yourself an eerie opus that our small country won't easily forget.
90/100
