« On a Pulpit of Souls » (demo)
Glorious North Productions
2013
When Venomenon isn’t performing live with RAGNAROK, or participating in THE DEVIANT or his main band, NATTSOL, the Norwegian is busying himself with other musical outlets, namely MAN GREMMES KAN (meaning, “one should be ashamed”). Unlike Nattsol, which is awash with Blackened folk and beautiful, epic soundscapes, this six song demo features a sonic palette not unlike being hit over the head with a sledgehammer! Harsh, militant and unnerving, On a Pulpit of Souls is a lesson in unbridled aggression and warfare. Very unsettling.
To Bear False Witness (When Mecca Burns) opens the collection with an abrasive, mechanical sound as the guitars/drums attack the listener like an exploding bomb! Our Genocide God does well in maintaining the momentum only including a few tempo changes to slow the proceedings. Here, anguished vocals continue to spit forth tales of war atrocities and human rights violations. Vaar Tornekrone’s main riff sounds almost patriotic and proud until the pace is quickened to caustic violence once more while the title track, On a Pulpit of Souls begins with a doom sounding guitar intro before the drums kick in and Venomenon’s vocals pay homage to Immortal’s Abbath.
Traditional, raw Black Metal is certainly the template by which Venomenon bases this band while adding touches of cold, unfeeling refinement that are showcased in the final mix. Very primitive and determined, the demo’s sound is neither polished nor pristine. The snare drum tone is akin to hitting a tin can while the guitars attack the senses like a chainsaw cutting through flesh and bone! For a demo, the songs play fast and furious and the ideas are well developed and mature. While not particularly catchy or easily accessible, the overall subject matter of MAN GREMMES KAN gels perfectly with the artwork and music. This is not nice. This is not sweet. This is not comforting. This is war….
Standout Tracks: To Bear False Witness (When Mecca Burns), Vaar Tornekrone, On a Pulpit of Souls
8.5/10
Chris
