BELPHEGOR - Blutsabbath (LAST EPISODE - CD 1997)
Going back in time to the mid
/ late 90’s I remember that me and my friend at some point were searching for
some of the most obscure, blasphemous but also the fastest death and black
metal possible. We liked quite few bands, but the day, when we got
“Blutsabbath” CD of Belphegor was like a revelation! Back in those days we did
not think someone can be able to play so intense, but at the same time so harsh
and aggressive music, so filled with profanation and sacrilege. For us,
teenagers then, it was shocking, but it kicked ass! I mean, we were really
impressed as fuck! Of corpse later we heard “Necrodaemon Terrorsathan”, which
turned to be even better and more violent album, but “Blutsabbath” was still
one of our favourites.
Is it still my favourite
today? No. I like it, just as many other Belphegor albums, but I think that
“Blutsabbath” doesn’t make such a strong impression today, as it did in 1997.
It doesn’t mean that it grew old badly, but maybe the shocking value is gone
somewhere hehe. For example nowadays the speed limit has been increased
incredibly, there are also bands, which in time became more intense and violent,
some are even more blasphemous (with satanic perversion exploit also)… Of
course, it’s not a race, so who would really give a damn, but I wonder what
would happen if “Blutsabbath” was released today, not in 1997? Who cares… Anyway,
the album may not be so impressive today, but I still like it and I actually
think that for sure Belphegor did some of the best death / black metal in the
time of late 90’s / early 00’s. And certainly it’s one of those bands, which
have their own, unique sound. All aspects – the production, the riffing,
arrangements, even the vocals… all these things are quite unique and
characteristic for Belphegor. You can recognize this band instantly, more so
because their music has this weird tendency to be brutal and extreme, but also
catchy and memorable, even melodic in many parts (like in fantastic opener “Abschwörung”).
I have no idea how they made that possible, as they’re usually two aspects,
which don’t like each other hehe. But I think it’s one of the reasons why
Belphegor music became so successful. They simply had skills to compose songs,
which were fast, extreme, blasphemous, but also memorable and easy to listen
to.
“Blutsabbath” is filled with
so called hits… with songs, which can sound great live and on CD. When you play
this album real loud, then it is like a fuckin bulldozer, crushing and
destroying all on its way, with throat cutting, sharp riffs, fast drums and
sick, insane vocals of Helmuth, who really is possessed! This is what I like
about Belphegor, with such killers like “Abschwörung”, “Purity Through Fire”,
“No Resurrection”, “Blutsabbath”. But “Abschwörung” is definitely the very best
piece here. And yes, I mentioned that I feel like this album was maybe making a
bigger impression in late 90’s, but it still stands as strong and truly
valuable effort. Belphegor was the best in their early albums, more
uncompromising, more extreme, obscure and morbid. “Blutsabbath” is a perfect
example for that. This album is better than “The Last Supper”, is really
awesome, but later Belphegor recorded even more lethal stuff. Surely the best
Austrian extreme metal band ever.
Standout tracks: “Abschwörung”,
“Purity Through Fire”, “No Resurrection”, “Blutsabbath”
Final rate: 88/100
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