To be philosophical for a moment (hard with that album title hanging above): The notion of ‘black n roll’ is either just the logical extension of heavy metal’s occult obsession within the rock framework, or actually pretty much the antithesis of what black metal is actually about. Just a thought, particularly as Heretic very much come from a black metal background. And being around since 1997 and with dozens of releases starting in black metal and graduating to this it’s a Hell of a background.
Anyway as the opening riff of Hail The Beast proves, the sex obsessed Dutch trio are very much now in the black n roll congregation. And it is a fine, rich meaty riff too. Bass deep, mid paced, basic metal rock and roll with a filthy mouth on it. The vocals are kind of merely adequate though: Sub-Cronos bark and talk. Still it’s pretty cool. The charming Black Perversion up as number two is kind of dirty doom really and you can’t help feeling that if you found the band’s no doubt well-thumbed collection of De Sade that there would be many, many passages (?!) underlined in red crayon. And third song Crowned In Filth has a riff that sounds exactly like a cleaned up early Celtic Frost song covered by Venom. They do know their riffs, yes, and at times the sound they conjure is really excellent head banging stuff even if often infuriatingly vaguely familiar.
Yes their influences are writ large on their suspiciously stained sleeves: Venom, Bathory, Celtic Frost, a bit of Misfits maybe, NWOBHM and Fleetwood Mac (!). No, really. Just check out the cheeky bass line towards the end of closer Maze Of Madness… Stevie Nicks better watch out. It is an album c(h)ock full of classy riffs perfectly produced and the vocals grow on you too: Demon Mistress is probably a song Venom wish they had written and best song on the album, Sweet Little Sacrifice, might even have Satanic royalty like the awesome Midnight nodding in approval.
Actually the latter song also highlights Heretic’s weakness on this album too. It is the only song where you really feel the pent up energy in the riffs is really unleashed. The rest often seems oddly restrained and for once it’s neither my desire for a band to be something they’re not, nor just wanting everything to be faster – it really does feel as though the songs restrain themselves. Not lyrically, obviously (cocks, cunts, piss, shit and cum are smeared from one side of this album to the other. Wash your hands before eating, lads and lasses), but the energy levels feel as though too often they are artificially held too low for the content to really leap out as often as the excellent riff quality would demand. Set next to similar bands like Midnight, or Speedwolf maybe, it does show.
It is a shame because if you don’t mind the lyrics there is a cracking black n roll album here. Their wicked way with a riff is an absolute joy at times. Just on the other songs they tie it down a little too tight, and not in a bondage-fun kinda way. On the other hand, give them a fair crack of the whip and Heretic will most definitely entertain you in a filthy, riff filled album.
(7/10 Gizmo)
( http://www.myspace.com/hereticmaniacs)
Leave a Reply