Mutiilation
Vampires of Black Imperial Blood
[Drakkar]


Mutiilation (yes, with the "ii") are the fourth French "black legions" band, and since they're the only one to not put out a split with Vlad Tepes, the least well known. I think it's fairly obvious to mention that if you like technical music, epic "black" metal, or around 99% of the new wave of black metal you should not only skip this, but erase any thought of acquiring it from you mind. On the other hand, if you're interested in hearing an album that makes "Transylvanian Hunger" sound like Wagner, or simple enjoy really raw black metal, than this is your disc. The CD was very limited in the first place, so good luck in finding a copy....but....

Anyways, I really quite enjoy "Vampires" (it's at the top of my favourite black metal releases). Everything of this reeks of black legions metal, since the production is terrible (yet fitting obviously), the vocals are raw and harsh, and the music concentrates more on emotions and pure hate, rather than sugar-coated guitar riffs and keyboards. If you really require a comparison, than I would have to say their brother band "Vlad Tepes", since the music is quite similar, especially in the vocal department. It would be absurd to recommend this release to most of you, but the few of you (or should I say 4 of you) that enjoy my reviews will find such perfection in this. It truly is a deep release.

Everything here is quite painful sounding (in a depressing fashion). Listen to the ten minute opener, "Magical shadows of a tragic past", and tell me there's no actual substance to this music. The black legions (besides the fairly boring Torgeist) are obviously a lot who have proven that black metal is about emotions, not about absurd production values. Depressing, hateful, sick, and very much black metal are words that accurately describe this excellent fifty-four minute release. I salute the Black Legions for spreading real black metal, and a massive "fuck off" to all of you who are against them.


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