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Album Reviews : Mhorgl – Antinomian

By on June 6, 2010

Antinomian-CoverMhorgl have been known to aptly describe their metal as “profane cerebral warfare” and if you needed a clue as to the target of their ire then the striking cover art, designed by bassist James Campbell, makes it very clear. Showing a priest with a goats head, a rabbi with a snakes head and a Muslim cleric with a wolves head just doesn’t leave any room for misinterpretation or pull any punches.

Thankfully what Mhorgl have created isn’t mere religion bashing, though that is certainly a constant theme, and there is clearly method to the rampant madness from the moment that “Nocturnal Blasphemy” jumps out in a flurry of guitar histrionics and blasts. This might be most easily described as black metal but there is no shortage of raw thrash and death metal incorporated into the maelstrom as well.

By all accounts their previous releases, “The Shadow Of Morgoth” and “The Sacrificial Flame” were rooted in more traditional black metal but the band themselves have stated the move to becoming a live band has resulted in them developing a more aggressive sound and that has certainly been achieved based upon what can be heard here.

The formula that Mhorgl employ throughout is simple yet very effective and there is obviously a lot to be said for the ability to create metal that goes for the throat with gusto. Whilst speed is certainly an integral part of what they do, and they do it magnificently, there are also intermittent moments where they strip it back such as on their tribute to Darkthrone “Necrohatred” though such respite is usually short lived.

Also worth a listen is an interesting interpretation of the Ozzy classic “Mr Crowley”. Without ruining the surprise by giving too much away, it takes the song in a direction that fits within the context of the rest of the CD but would most likely cause consternation amongst devotees of the original.

If you are looking for a healthy dose of aural aggression and malice, tinged with blasphemy, then I would certainly recommend that you support Mhorgl and obtain a copy of “Anitnomian”. It is a truly relentless thirty six minutes of primal Australian metal that is sure to satisfy anyone who is willing to give it the chance it so deserves and comes highly recommended. 9/10

Band: Mhorgl
Album: Antinomian
Year: 2010
Genre: Black Metal
Label: Independent
Origin: Australia
www.myspace.com/mhorgl

Track Listing:

  1. Nocturnal Blasphemy
  2. 2. Kiss Of Midnight <- Reviewers choice
  3. Iron Clad Destruction
  4. Essence Of Evil
  5. Necrohatred (A Tribute To Darkthrone)
  6. Subterranean Assault Beast
  7. The Paean Of Hangatyr
  8. Mr Crowley

About

Mitch Booth is the owner, designer and grand overlord of Metal Obsession. In the few seconds of spare time he has outside of this site, he also hosts a metal radio show over on PBS 106.7fm in Melbourne (Australia) and organises shows under the name Untitled Touring. You should follow him on Twitter.