It figures that on their website Alkerdeel have posted an album preview to a visual scene from Belgian horror film Calvaire (reviewed elsewhere on this site). This Belgian lot have made a point of noting that this release is in the apocalyptical year of 2012, something which does seem to fit the vibe of the music. It’s their second full length (and quite possibly the last if you believe in all this end of the world bunkum) and from what I can make out they have moved slightly further towards the black metal mould than what has previously been heard.

At their very core, Alkerdeel are pure filth. There is nothing particularly uplifting or pleasant about Morinde and that’s what makes them appealing. We have two short tracks sandwiched between two very looong tracks, you get the idea. Opening track ‘Winterteens’ drudges forward at rather a sloth-like pace with little enthusiasm and the general feeling that the world is grinding to a halt. The bass is low down and filthy as fuck, dragging you right down beneath the soil where not a glimmer of light can make its way through. Pede’s cacophonous shrieks are really intense and at times have a harrowing sense of anguish, adding to the general nastiness. Things gradually begin to pick up pace as a callous blackened guitar sound jangles through, becoming entangled within the chaos before returning to that sludge-like pacing.

‘Horsesaw’ continues to bludgeon through with a raw, dirty and underground racket before ‘Hessepikn’ takes the mood down to a much more hypnotic, ritualesque vibe. This number is dark and sinister and one can feel a cold edge seeping through. I am reminded greatly of Blut Aus Nord here with that spellbinding rhythm aided by the guitars and underlying chaos that all seems to bubble beneath the surface creating a massive sense of unease. The repetitive nature of the guitars works to lull the listener into a trance-like state, while the vocals remain low in the mix and relatively subtle. The final track, ‘Du Levande’ is by far the longest, clocking in over the 20 minute mark and it is steeped with atmosphere, building on what the previous track laid down. The wind howls in the mix and the music maunders on at a slow pace working that depressive mood and radiating an errant air of danger. The vocals are delivered as a grizzly Xasthur-like howl and they definitely add to the terrifying and hypnotic feel of this track.

For me, the album starts off well but improves as it goes along. It seems to gain momentum around the half-way point, building up atmosphere and strength as it moves forward and I really find the later tracks rather entrancing. It’s interesting to read on the back that the intro/outro has been provided by Mories (Gnaw Their Tongues, Cloak Of Altering, etc), as you can definitely hear his unique stamp on there. At 41 minutes this is an album that doesn’t overstay its welcome and it’s definitely one you will enjoy if you like bands such as WITTR, Burning Witch and Blut Aus Nord.

(7.5/10 Luci Herbert)

http://www.alkerdeel.be/