I have to admit that I found this, the sophomore album from Swedish band Khaospath a little tricky to review. It’s definitely not one for the casual black metal fan or an introduction to the genre which I consider a good thing; something about the refreshingly treble high old school sound on this album and the utterly committed full on pace attack they maintain throughout makes it a more spiky than average proposition. Also when it is good, it is indeed very good. Tracks like ‘Into The Devils Claws’, ‘Twenty Stabs For A Fruitless Crown’ and the rather magnificently turbulent ‘Lunacy Triumphant’, quite apart from the insistent riff that Khaospath are never short on, introduce a melodic twist inside the barbed wire hooks that elevate them above the norm. They…sink in deep and stay there. There are touches of Emperor in the turbulence and feint, mostly buried keyboards; perhaps a pinch of Marduk in the throat ripping attack and a tight turn of time change that really shakes your spine. Really good stuff there, really good.
I think that the problem I have with other tracks is the same problem I have with some things by fellow Swedes Watain; On other tracks like ‘Under A Blackened Nightsky’, ‘A Blade At The Edge Of Sanity’ or opener ‘Verbis Diaboli’ I can hear all the pieces in place and totally understand why people like them but something about the relentless approach begins to block me. Equally as Watain are such a good band I hope this puts my thoughts into perspective; not so much a criticism of Khaospath, just a differing of taste.
They close with the epic ‘Ravens Downfall’ which is a standout track for many reasons. Firstly there is as almost gothic tinge to its slower, melodic pace. The clean vocals are actually really good and serve as great contrast to the rest of the harsh singing. It has a downbeat mood contrasting with the anger and aggression on the rest of the album too which is intriguing.
No really there is a lot to like and admire in For The Devil Speaks The Truth and the band are clearly on the… er… right (or left hand) path and I will keep an eye on how things develop. For the moment though it’s definitely one to recommend you take a listen to, see if those tracks that didn’t quite get me do it for you and if they do then add a point or two to the score below.
(7/10 Gizmo)
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