Subba Cultcha (uk)
Seventh opus of twisted hymns from the black metal titans

Here comes the seventh album from Belphegor, the band who are quite happy to ‘Vomit Upon the Cross’ if need be. There is a bit more Death Metal mixed in with their incredibly black onslaught this time out, and the influences of classical music, hard as they may be to pick out, are definitely there. Known for their sheer extremity and nastiness of theme, Belphegor keep on trying to up their game and outdo themselves, and here they do achieve that to some degree. Tracks such as ‘Stigma Diabolicum’ and ‘Sexdictator Lucifer’ (jeez, they had fun with the titles) show off a band that are pushing themselves further each time, with positive results.

This rather majestic release is a concept album. Wait, no, come back! Don’t be afraid. It doesn’t bore you senseless and the theme never overpowers the songs, which makes it easy to enjoy the songs on their own merits instead of as parts of a larger whole. Again featuring vocals in English, German and Latin, this is another strong effort from a band who aren’t afraid to play with the generic basis of the genre and make it their own. Themed around the Marquis de Sade (how couldn’t it be with a title like this?) , the album does show some form of progression for the band, and very much so in terms of negativity and brutality. Mixing all manner of tales of his debauchery and insanity, Belphegor have created something nasty, vile, and rather great.

4/5 by Andrew Hawnt Subba-cultcha.com UK