Artist: Triumphator
Label: Necropolis
Release Date: 3/14/00
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Title: Wings of Antichrist Artist: Triumphator Label: Necropolis Release Date: 3/14/00 |
Judgment Committee Reviews | Rating |
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Abyss's Review:
Triumphator's Wings of Antichrist is a lovely piece of country gospel that pleases the ear while exhalting the soul... oh no wait, that's incorrect. It's a blasphemous, satanic disc of black/death that you might want to bring up in confession, just in case God really does care what kind of music you listen to. This music doesn't emminate from your speakers, but rather blasts out in a wall of sound so intense, it often takes a little time for your ears to catch up and identify the individual instruments. I mean this stuff is brutally heavy, and fast as fuck. There are no pauses to inject any melody or groove, just forced blastbeats and unrelenting rhythm. This is the bands best asset, as well as their biggest weakness. As much as I enjoy the sheer brutality of this release (and I really do enjoy it) it would be remiss of me not to say anything about the fact that it restricts this band. The songs are lost amongst themselves, because with music this heavy it's hard to for a song to stand out. Many of the songs are interchangeable and employ the same formula of ultra fast riffs with occasional higher pitched tremolo picking to layer the sound. And while repeated listens alleviate this problem, many that are introduced to this record may not be willing to give it that much time. The one exception to the blistering pace is the song "Crushed Revelation" which was probably just written for time to stretch out their cramping extremities during live gigs. It is a slow, brooding song which does a nice job of breaking up the album, even though there isn't much to it. Upon originally hearing this record I was unaware that it was a project from members of Marduk and Funeral Mist, and while I'm familiar with Marduk already, I feel the need to now acquaint myself with Funeral Mist. Those of you who want just pure, unadulterated speed will get hours of enjoyment from this, but beware those who just dabble in the extreme, this might be a little too much for you.
"A blasphemous, satanic disc of black/death that you might want to bring up in confession, just in case God really does care what kind of music you listen to."
Death's Review:
Extremity for extremity's sake. Speed for the sake of speed. Complete and utter brutality. Absolutely fucking raw, primitive and pure. Rest assured, Wings of Antichrist is not for the weak.
"Extremity for extremity's sake. Speed for the sake of speed. Complete and utter brutality." Triumphator deserve credit for their relatively straightforward black approach, eschewing the meaningless layers of keyboards (of course, there is the goth sounding intro to "Heralds of Pestilence," but that doesn't count), operatic female vocals, string sections and other similar nonsense so commonly employed by many of the their musical peers. Instead, the band relies on the pounding double-bass drumming of Fredrik Andersson (Marduk) to propel the incessant attack. Rarely do they deviate from the "standard-black speed riffing over all- out, aggression-filled, drumming" sound they display for the majority of virtually every track (with the notable exception of mid-album dirge "Crushed Revelation").
Unfortunately, I find this approach rather tedious. To be fair, I am not generally a black metal fan, and I openly confess that I think the recent musical directions Emperor and Satyricon have taken are dramatic improvements. I'm from the old school, folks, when even the crazy-fast shit like Destruction or Kreator had dynamics and perhaps even a chorus. And I suppose Triumphator does too, with songs like "Conquered Light," "Heralds of Pestilence," or "Goathorned Abomination" displaying mild classic-thrash and/or death metal elements buried within the chaos. The occasionally "demon-voiced King Diamond" sounding vocals ("Conquered Light," particularly) do add context for those who choose to listen beyond the speed. But truth be told, overall I grow tired of a one-speed pony rather quickly, and Wings of Antichrist is surely no exception.
"The tension builds and is sustained but is never released." Don't get me wrong, I appreciate the value of an absolutely uncompromising musical bludgeoning. I suppose bands like Marduk and Triumphator land with an impact which is the modern equivalent of Slayer first dropping Reign in Blood. But still, isn't the true value of that Slayer record to be found in the grooves, like the sick-ass technical intricacy of the money shot riffs in "Angel of Death" or "Raining Blood" or the brutally midtempoed headbanging of "Postmortem" or "Altar of Sacrifice"? You've got to give me some kind of payoff guys, some kind of release from the unrelenting speed and aggression. I suppose that's why those who appreciate an album like Wings of Antichrist might absolutely worship it: the tension builds and is sustained but is never released. Those of you this is intended for know exactly who you are. This one's not for newbies. If you think Dimmu Borgir, Emperor or Cradle of Filth is crazy underground black metal insanity, think again. Listening to Triumphator will make you off yourself for ever thinking it was. If you thought Panzer Division Marduk was godlike, you need to check out Triumphator, right away. Me? I can't handle the truth.
Hel's Review:
I have to come clean. When I was handed this album, I was so overwhelmed by the sheer silliness of the sound of the band's name that I was convinced it would be crap. I can't tell you why. And from the moment I pressed "play," I remembered the reason that I rarely disparage a band for its name. Indeed in this case, the name of the band belies the sound inside. This disk is impressive.
Even though it's not really even a song, the end of the album, tacked on after a long silence at the end of "Goathorned Abomination", is definitely a highlight. Raw unbridled "rrrrrgggggghhhhh." If you don't like that, you certainly won't be able to enjoy this album to its fullest extent. In fact, I'm gonna go out on a limb here, and say that if you like black metal, you will like this release. Need ambient keys? Might I recommend "Heralds of Pestilence"? This song can also cure your need for double-bass, blast beats, and more. As can most of the tracks found here.
"There's a great deal of talent in this band, despite the silly name. Fast and heavy describes it well." Certainly by now you realize that I'm walking away from this one pleasantly surprised. There's a great deal of talent in this band, despite the silly name. Fast and heavy describes it well.
Rating Revised for Metal Judgment Anniversary
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