The Pitch: Controversial Finnish black metal aggressors Curse Upon A Prayer continue their campaign against religion with Infidel via Saturnal. FFO: Watain, Taake, Young And In The Way
What I Like: It amuses me that metalheads don't bat an eye at anti-Christian imagery, but the minute Islam gets mentioned, everyone is up in arms. Nevermind that it's the world's second largest religion and shares the same history of atrocities. I have no qualms with people's choice of religious practice, but I also can't stand hypocrisy. Thus is my defense of groups like Curse Upon A Prayer; spawned from a genre that has been against all organized religion since its inception. As implied by the title of the album, this is a band that wears their blasphemy like a badge of honor. These days, what easier way to get your name out there than the free advertising of the outrage mob? It's something that worked so well with the Marilyn Mansons of the Tipper Gore days. Same s#!t, different puritans. In any case, what follows is another highly aggressive dose of confrontational black metal much iin the vein of groups like Watain, albeit with some Middle Eastern-inspired flourishes. There are some melodic, Taake-esque detours like "Fitna," but for the most part expect in-your-face, corpse-painted menace to the beat of cascading double bass and wildfire guitars.
Critiques: There's not a whole lot here I haven't heard a million times before. Aside from the "go to 11" levels of sheer ferocity, there's not a whole lot else that catches my attention in any truly meaningful way. Not bad, just not especially memorable.
The Verdict: Infidel is a perfectly solid black metal release that should satiate fans' appetites for both blasphemy and destruction. But will I be thinking back on this one a few months from now? Only time will tell.
Flight's Fav's: Infidel, Haram, Prophetic Poison
- Review by FlightOfIcarus
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