Dear Beelzebub, what a scorcher of an album. For those not in the know, and who have absolutely no reason for such ignorance, Black Witchery and Conqueror have, with the release of some particularly malicious demo material, etched their names in the underground’s subconscious as two of the most rabid outfits in North America and two of the foremost purveyors of violence in the global underground. Quite predictably, this split CD lives up to all prior expectations, and serves to delight, enthral and shock with its unrelenting barbarity.

One of my prime annoyances with the American black metal scene has been the loss of indigenous identity over the years. I’ve always been a staunch supporter of the North American sound, one which is unparalleled in its harshness and wickedness, as pioneered by luminaries like Blasphemy, Profanatica, VON, Necrovore, Possessed etc. I’m increasingly irritated by the fact that the American bands that have been receiving more commercial attention have been the ones that replicate more European sounds, ie Thy Infernal, December Wolves, Noctuary and the hopelessly boring Abazagorath, while bands that still uphold the tenets of American extremity like Black Witchery, Perverseraph and Ibex Throne go unnoticed by the mass. With the resurgent popularity of acts like Krieg and Thornspawn, one can hope that the situation will rectify itself soon.

Black Witchery refuse to subscribe to such a mindset. This is pure American cruelty to the nth degree! I was incredibly impressed with their demo and 7” material, both being molten slabs of unmistakably Yankee fury, but this new material proves to be more streamlined, more focussed, more unbridled. For the sake of musical reference, I’d draw parallels between Black Witchery and Profanatica (obviously), Abominations of Desolation era Morbid Angel (a lot of people disagree with me on this point, but I do indeed hear some MA-esque sludge), a hint of Blasphemy, Goatlord and Sarcofago. Cataclysmic, unwavering black/grind for the most discerning of maniacs, and with a brilliant cover of Blasphemy’s “Demoniac” to boot. Black Witchery have definitely cemented their place in my heart with this material, and I’m sure they’ll burrow their way into yours too if you enjoy any of the aforementioned outfits. I can’t bloody wait for their full length on FMP.

Conqueror’s side is a tad disappointing, because I did expect more from them after their stellar demo material. As many of you might already know, these Kanadian lunatics peddle a brand of battle-ready, grinding black metal that is incredibly reminiscent of perennial favourites Blasphemy. This material is a tad monodimensional, and not quite as captivating or repulsive as Blasphemy were. Don’t take that as a negative remark though, as even the mightiest of outfits have found it hard emulating Blasphemy’s antics. This is still blood hungry, merciless black grind metal in the absolute, but compared to the Black Witchery side, I do feel it pales in comparison. Apparently, they’re on FMP now too, and I’m rather eager to hear their full length.

Frenetic, cruel, depraved and absolutely essential, this LP has to be the best split release since Necromantia/Varathron, and it serves as the invocation for two new entries in the American elite black metal pantheon, as well as a middle finger in the face of all this pseudo-intellectual NS pagan pride wankery. [a fukking 10!]

© 2000 equimanthorn