Listening to Impiety is the musical equivalent of going large. Extremity is not enough for this band. Once again I lock blasphemous horns with these monsters from Singapore, having exposed myself to harm on many occasions over their 20 years of existence. Here it’s different as we’re going back in time with this compilation, which comprises material from “Ceremonial Necrochrist Redesecration” (1992 demo), “Salve the Goat … Iblis Exelsi” (1993 ep), Funeralight (1997 ep), “Two Majesties – An Arrogant Alliance of Satan’s Extreme Elite” (2004 split with Surrender of Divinity) and “Two Barbarians” (2008 split with Abhorrence).
From the moment we embark upon “Cuntblasphemy – Paganistic Bitchgoddess Deiimpalation”, to give its full anti-Christian Sunday name, this is a fascinating trip. It was all rough, crude and largely unsubtle but then it’s hardly laced with finesse now. The production is better these days than it was in the 1990’s but I’m glad that they’ve not ironed that out and have struck to the grainy sound. It’s a particularly interesting perspective when you think that Norwegian black metal hadn’t got going, but Bathory and Venom were doing their stuff and that’s evident here. This however is not just a museum piece to fill up your Impiety collection. Unlike “Worshippers of the Seventh Tyranny” (2011), which was broadly one track in seven sections, this is a series of 15 separate blasts and evil utterances. This is partly because the material comes from different eras of course but it works better this way. Just as Impiety are now the most extreme band I know, this compilation is testimony to the band’s originality. The dark and crusty “Cuntblasphemy” quickly makes its mark. Deep and growly bass and thrashing guitars give it an old school ring but this is old school metal. It is as ferocious and negative as its grandiloquent title suggests. Here and there there’s a change of chord. “Cuntblasphemy” is just plain nasty, bestial and brutal. “Magick – Consecration Goatsodomy”, the other track off “Salve the Goat” has less impact and is more of historical interest but even then the guitar is like a chain saw and although it doesn’t seem to have any discernible direction, it’s still a fine example of experimentation in gruesomeness.
The striking sound distortions of “Intromancy: …Of Mass Acheronic Desolation” take us to the “Ceremonial Necrochrist Redesecration” 1992 demo. Thunder, ghastly groans and droning bass signal the end of the world. The fuzzy background distinguishes the ghastly grey imagery, which a clean front couldn’t do. The fire-filled, ferocious frolics, explosions and crusty darkness of “Pentagramathon” take us to new levels. The fury is unabated. There’s no pretence to melody or anything remotely pleasant. Just a world of venom and hatred is being replicated here. “Fornicate!”, advises Shyaithan, a permanent fixture over these 20 years of hatred and contempt. “Fallen Blasphemathory” furthers the theme. Chaotic and even psychedelic, it’s sonically so deep that it’s like having your grave dug for you as you’re being systematically dismembered. This is a track of unadulterated intensity and discordant violence. The slaughterhouse warfare continues with “The Seventh Goatspawn”. This is utterly underground music. You won’t hear this on mainstream radio or tv. Impiety just say their piece and stop. Ah .. gunfire. The 1992 demo ends.
So we move ahead a bit and to “Dragon Oath Diabolus” off “Funeralight” (1997). It’s less black and white TV and 8 track stereo and slightly more slick in production. The intensity remains however, the wall of sound is still there and this slowed down track is venomous. The creepy delivery is more Norwegian in its style. The bells toll and signal a further leap forward to 2004. A quick blast, literally speaking, and we’re into “Imperative Coronation”. Now the style resembles more modern blackened death with rapid death-style drums. Chaos is as ever being unleashed everywhere. The drum beat is dramatic, then off we go again into rapid fields of carnage and destruction. Good timing has been there all along but now it’s more marked. Blasting drums are not so surprising but there’s now a hint of a melodious riff before more wild patterns herald the prevailing darkness and anarchy. A cover of an early Destruction track “Invincible Force” demonstrates Impiety’s thrashing side, which is demonstrated later here on “Storm of Abhorrence”. Sparks fly, drums continue to blast but it’s easy to detect that Impiety is becoming a different and more controlled machine. It’s then time for a laugh as guns fire in the Wild West and Mexicans chatter. That’s “Blessed Are the Borachos (Outronomicon)”.
Of the two final tracks from the 2008 split, “Storm of Abhorrence” is more typical of the modern Impiety. I am reminded of “Dominator” from the same period. This is purposeful, gut-busting excellence. Earthquakes happen. Yes, it’s a complete storm. And then what else could we finish with but “The Eye of the Tiger” theme, Impiety-style. “Outronomicon II: One Night at Black Zone” is one of those interludes of madness which Singaporeans in general are not generally noted for. The sound can be heard of water going down the toilet. I hope Shyaithan and co washed their hands. I very much doubt it.
It’s interesting to hear where Impiety came from to get to where they are now. This compilation captures the development of the band’s style as well as giving us the chance to hear 90’s metal which would be hard if not impossible to access. Of course the production quality has improved but the commitment level is just as intense. Walls don’t shake on the earlier pieces as they do now, but they still fall down, as they’re subjected to constant erosion and gradual destruction. Death, black and thrash metal are all used as tools to do the job. I like it. This is classic stuff. Don’t miss it.
(8/10 Andrew Doherty)
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