Even ‘If Paradise is (half as nice) don’t worry that is not where we are heading. Hell is a much more likely proposition and it is unlikely when forming over 30 years ago that this Brazilian cult had any idea they were sharing their name with a bunch of late 60’s Welsh rockers. Still when the name came up I couldn’t help scratching my head and remembering the chart toppers of yesteryear. That aside, this Amen Corner first started out with their own songs of praise back in 1992 but it is the devil that they have worshipped over the years that have seen them releasing seven albums. These underground legends may not be as well- known as others from their country who are muttered under the same breath and rather than playing in a bestial style their music is a much doomier proposition.
Expecting ferocious black metal here I was taken somewhat by surprise once they stirred their cauldron and songs like ‘The War of the Antichrist’ slithered rather than sped out. The accompanying info did state that they had a lot in common with both the Italian and Greek scenes and that is obvious here as they lurch away into their craggy craft. Vocals from founding member Sucoth Benoth are gnarly and are rolled off the tongue with distinction. There are plenty of groove laden moments instrumentally along with mid-paced flourishes and an air of horror pervades over their foul doctrines. Like Mortuary Drape who they definitely share common ground with, the bass has a heavy presence and is utilised to meander away and add to harmonies amidst the doomy metallic guitar licks. The occult vibes are strong and it’s a bit reminiscent of bands such as Necromantia along with the early horror metal of Death SS going on here. Apart from a clanging gong on the aforementioned number the band just keep the bells and whistles at arm’s length allowing the riff-work and rasping forked tongue vocals to do the talking.
It’s a slow descent rather than being thrown into a fiery pit. In fact, at times we simply crawl on our knees and the likes of ‘Fall and Ascension’ at over 7-minutes in length do seem to go on for near eternity. If you are looking for something attention-grabbing you may not find it here and that’s kind of the problem I have found with this album although there’s no denying its insidious approach. The spirit of early Sabbath and Mercyful Fate resides all over the creepy melody of ‘Signal From Beyond’ and there’s the theatricality of the latter in the vocals as grim tales are recanted. The problem is I just can’t help feeling everything is pretty much drawn out, the vocals descend into the hammy and the themes are as old and clichéd as the hills themselves. Others will no doubt enjoy this more than me and to be fair the band are not doing anything wrong but this just didn’t do it for me and I found both attention and patience waning over repeated listens.
(6.5/10 Pete Woods)
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