Call it what you will, death metal, black metal or a mixture of both. However the genre is cut and classified, one fact holds firm –Austrian import Belphegor’s latest sacrificial offering is undeniably downright haunting metallic mayhem. Expectations of exotically nightmarish imagery is commonplace for any group known within these fringe realms, but it’s not always used in cohesion with the musical and lyrical content. It’s more for shock and awe. Belphegor’s tantalizing, yet blasphemous choice of cover art for Bondage Goat Zombie is however arguably quite fitting for the aural horrors within. Nine intensely twisted tracks are drawn from the literary works of history’s most misunderstood, if not outright despised scribe – Marquis De Sade. Belphegor resurrects odious old world writings for a modern day sinister celebration, adding their own contemporary twist to the sexually charged and often-violent tales. Truly not for the faint, or easily offended (but that goes for anyone unfriendly to the genre as a whole), tracks such as “Justine: Soaked in Blood” and “Sex Dictator” are sure to drive an unapologetic stake into the ear canal. Yet, for those seeking a quality production of nefarious tunes from a band that’s been around long enough to know what makes a commanding death/black record… you can’t go wrong with Belphegor’s Bondage Goat Zombie. While it should be noted the album follows a rather standard formula for the first few compositions, the music gains chilling momentum, delving deeper into depravity lyrically, thus also exceeding norms musically as time rolls on. A touch of thrash, ethereal chants, and even a dash of operatic accoutrements all included. Suffice to say by the end of the album – you may need therapy to recover from the uncompromising, frightening sounds that are oddly so irresistible. It’s almost like selling the soul for just a few more moments of the insanity. Basically, it’s a good extreme metal release among so many monotonous choices.
For more info… belphegor.at
