Anaal Nathrakh is not for the faint of heart. I don’t just mean that in terms of those outside the metal world, I’m talking anybody anywhere. If you’re a confirmed metal head who thinks Lamb Of God or some other thrashy pop band is the ultimate head banging experience then Anaal will undoubtedly leave you crying and re-thinking your place in the metal universe. Same for those into “extreme” metal who live their lives based on the idea that the Black Metal formula can never change. Anaal Nathrakh will slap the entire ass off of those ideas.
The band’s latest studio offering “In The Constellation Of The Black Widow” is another crushing example of why this two-man band accomplishes much more than most fully equipped metal stalwarts. Anaal Nathrakh are more like great weavers of music and ideas than just a band in that they bring together some really inventive views on structure and dynamics but then hide them underneath this aural assault that can only be likened to being run over by a 16 wheeler with spikes on its treads, on fire, while acid leaks from the bottom.
Anaal Nathrakh makes music you are forced to listen to so you can withdraw from it what they’re trying to do. The new album opens with “Blood Eagles Carved On The Back Of Innocents” which besides being an amazing song title grabs you by the neck and won’t let go. Anaal trick you here, the way the do through out the album. The song starts off with such a soothing thrash feel to it that when the sudden burst of pure Black Metal hits you aren’t ready. It throws you off balance, which is what all good extreme music should do. The second track is then just a pure sonic assault but one that lowers the intensity of the opening track. Again, you’re left feeling uneasy.
By the third song, the title track, you’re defenses as a listener are up; you have no idea what’s coming next. For instance the title track begins as a standard Black Metal affair but deep within it come these incredibly gothic vocals. They aren’t forced over the track they more seep out of it before vanishing again. It feels as if Anaal Nathrakh creates a violent and abusive ocean of sound to toss you around with and then from the depths of that ocean come all kinds of creatures to both scare and tantalize you. I call In The Constellation Of The Black Widow an ocean because the intensity and power never ever stop, not for one minute, but below the surface of this violent intensity are wonderful things you must look for to be part of.
For the extreme metal elite who cowers at the idea of experimentation and new ideas, fear not, Anaal Nathrakh have enough blistering riffs, pure power and screeching lyrics to keep you happy for days. Take the riff from “Oil On The Sores Of Lepers” or “Terror In The Mind Of God”. Metal Guitar Gods will wish they had written something so rich and meaty, while the Headbangers are sure to tear their heads off to thrashing about.
Anaal Nathrakh, like Primordial, Wolves In The Throne Room and so many other bands are pushing extreme music into new areas and elevating Black Metal to an incredible art form in ways nobody had ever expected. This record isn’t for everyone, I think even the band would admit that. It’s made for those who love extreme music, experimental ideas, Black Metal and the power that comes from bleeding out the black poison that dwells in all of us.
