I seem to have a knack of picking up “controversial” bands for reviews recently.  OK Schammasch have not got the same kinda traction as Escuela Grind when it comes to net gossip but I have read a fair few KVLT types getting upset about their blending of Black and Post Metal.  The bands name refers to Shamash – an Akadian sun god but being a bloke of a certain age all I can think of is robotic aliens with a love of instant mash potato. So far so Gen X.

The Maldoror Chants: Old Ocean is the Swiss quintet’s fifth release and the first in five years – all these fives hey? Unfortunately there are six songs on the album. Aaaaaaargh – the minor numerologist and number obsessive in me curses you! It is 51 minutes long though so I will give them that. This album connects to “The Maldoror Chants : Hermaphrodite” an E.P. the band released in 2017 inspired by a 19th Century French Poetic novel by the Comte de Lautreamont  .

The music here blends post metal with elements of Prog and modern Black Metal.

Opener Crystal Waves mixes spoken word and gentle atmospherics with big swathes of guitars and heavy bright percussion. The sound of gentle waves lapping underpin this 13-and-a-half-minute opening epic – my initial thoughts are of how lush it all sounds. Clean guitars and wonderful overlaying of tracks but 13 minutes is too long. If this were a chapter of a novel I would be cutting out some padding to get back to the narrative.

A break of sorts is provided by “A Somber Mystery” with its Spanish guitar atop dour drums and bass. A couple of minutes of filler before “Your Waters Are Bitter” begins. This track gives off some Sarke vibes with the vocals of C.S.R. having a nice tinge of Nocturno Culto to them and the track having a bit more of a swagger to it- definitely a lot more Black in the palette here with a smattering of baritone clean almost monastic singing. The drums beat out a tribal rhythm and the ending with tremolo picked guitars is great – it is again just a little overlong.  I understand that this album is inspired by the original novels oceanic themes and can see that Schammasch are looking to create giant watery sonicscapes here – there just needs to be some changes to the horizon.

“They Have Found Their Master” throws in some blastbeats and I cling to them like driftwood. The vocals here feel omniscient and cinematic building atop black metal riffs to clean chants over a proggy Hawkwind style riff – I get Masters of the Universe vibes here – female harmonies provided by Kathryn Shepard of Sylvaine add an extra texture which I greatly enjoyed.  Strangely reminded me of early Cranberries.  She also features on the next track “Image of the infinite” which mixes prog with some trip hop beats. Very very relaxed – bit Porcupine Tree.

It is the final track that really stands out for me. “I Hail You Old Ocean” is a fitting epic to end the album. Yes, it is a longun but it changes pace throughout and mixes classic NWOBHM riffs with modern power and Black Metal to great effect. It is grandiose and over the top but manages to stay the right side of serious. There is something operatic about the drama on offer in this track and it satisfies me more than the other offerings.

All in all Schammasch have recorded and released a fairly interesting record about a fairly interesting sounding 19th Century novel. Whether I am minded to pick either up in the future I am doubtful – aside from that last track. They are very good at what they do – they just do it a for a little too long.

(6.5/10 Matt Mason)

https://www.facebook.com/SCHAMMASCH

https://schammasch.bandcamp.com/album/the-maldoror-chants-old-ocean