“The music of death, rats, bitterness and vanity” were the first words I read when researching this band from Poland. I understand they do a bit of coldwave to go with their mix of death metal and progressive elements. A band who have put themselves about a bit on the live scene, this is their second album release.
Fast, hard and ugly would describe the opening track “Breslau” best. The drummer beats the living daylights out of his skins while the song roars on, slowing down for a dirty passage. Hell, the whole thing’s dirty. Shodan had already hinted at melody, but there’s plenty on “Fuel to Grandeur”. I’d had “heavy hardcore” running around in my head but the gang chorus of “Fuel to Grandeur” confirmed that this is an element, but only an element as dirty, heavy melodies dominate this song. The melody reminded me a bit of the Swedish band Tribulation and more Swedish bands, but you can’t deny the pungent death metal sounds and vocal style. And it’s harsh but unlike many Polish bands, not in a way where you’re dragged down and strangled with no air or escape route. One thing’s for sure, Shodan know how to compose a song. “Fuel to Grandeur” is rousing. On the quick march we go as “Doomsday Melody” splatters its deathliness but in a way that is exciting. It’s also innovative as this eight minute song is in three parts: We Are Own Armageddon, Light: the Renewer and Vermin. After the excitement, the second part is slow and creepy, while the third part continues the menacing advance of the first, culminating in an epic but fitting solo and climax. Warfare seems to be on the agenda with the tribal sound of “Ray of Darkness”. A few deaths later the beat starts again like a train amid dark and menacing utterances. It fades away, to return with the grumbling bass guitar before going back on its melodic, swirling attack. Shodan cleverly knit together several passages and moods on the piece of darkness that is “Ray of Darkness”. Everything points to catastrophe and death. “Primordial Incest” blasts its way indiscriminately through the crowds. At first it seems like a pure death metal number but in typical fashion, “Primordial Incest” twists and turns, and destroys. Attack, attack, attack … “I Have Crowned Myself” goes off at breakneck speed. The vocalist rasps and growls, while the instrumentalists weave between their measured darkness and frantic beats. After a spoken passage, the tempo rises and falls and rises. The breezy melody of the earlier songs returns with the closing title track. Never afraid to throw in a bit of innovation, as a variant to excellent growler the eccentric vocals remind us that “this vanity, vultures and rats, we feast on our obliviousness”, whatever that’s supposed to mean. The song itself is electric, colourful and uplifting. You can tell this is a band who plays live shows. The song “Death Rule Over Us” was for me an absolute highlight and a great way to finish this impressive album.
This is not for the faint-hearted. “Death Rule Over Us” is an intense and multi-layered assault, featuring an array of deathcentric styles. I found it’s an album where there’s interest around every corner, and for that in particular I commend it.
(8.5/10 Andrew Doherty)
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