Wan - Antichristian Douchebags (FALLEN TEMPLE - CD 2022)
“Antichristian Douchebags” - what a title for an album haha! Not something you would expect from a black metal band, right? But on the other hand, there are some bands like Carpathian Forest, which love such vulgar and primitive, provocative also, titles and Wan actually fits this category of bands pretty damn well. What is this category of bands? Well, to call it as easily as possible, they are necro / obscure / filthy and simplistic black metal with raw, lo-fi production. As such, Wan obviously doesn’t reinvent the wheel nor they have anything what would put them above many similar bands. Their music is as obvious and tedious as one can imagine... But at the same time, it kicks ass hard and I find a lot of sadistic pleasure in giving this album a loud and repetitive listen.
How come? Well, everything in there’s been done properly, nothing more to say. Songs on “Antichristian Douchebags”, despite their primitive and savage nature, have a lot to offer, from fast, vicious black metal to almost punkish, primitive stuff. Influences from Venom and Bathory through Darkthrone and Carpathian Forest are all over these songs and it just feels so damn nice to hear such music, especially since nowadays black metal sounds a lot different and not many bands really do that 80’s / early 90’s influenced pure black metal anymore. Even that garage harsh, primitive production doesn’t disturb, because it is selective and doesn’t give you a headache from the noise instruments create. Wan has some really killer riffs and vocals of Tsjud are also something noteworthy.
So, “Antichristian Douchebags” is one of those albums, which I did not expect to impress me. But I was wrong, Wan did record a great material and I am sure I will be coming back to it often. And more so, this is Wan’s fourth album, I have no idea about the previous recordings though, if they were as good as this shit. One day I may wanna check them out though.
Verdict: 75/100