Goatwar
The Nobles With Shackles of Iron
[Independent]


Caustic. Thermonuclear. These are words that aren't often used when describing most 21st century black metal, but Goatwar has certainly garnered such attributions. This is one of those releases that is so heinous that it will either be received as pure evil genius, or structureless garbage. I ascribe to the former. It is a brave outing indeed. For the most part Goatwar makes discordant and often droning pieces, and only a few of the songs are straight ahead or particularly speedy unlike some of their earlier work. What is great about this CD is that it captures the id of "true black metal" rather than the ego that most listeners are all too familiar with in other bands. The guitars are stormy and grating, the vocals are phlegm-laden screeches, and the drums tend to hammer away maniacally or drop to a Black Sabbath-esque trudge, depending on the song. To be sure, these songs are not catchy. In fact, a good deal of the recording reflects improvisation but there again lies Goatwar's strength. To them, black metal is not supposed to be catchy or necessarily premeditated; it is a ritual to be drawn from the darkest souls and inflicted upon all who hear it. Given the precepts modern black metal was founded upon, it's hard to be dismissive of this band. Regardless of any arguments over Goatwar's musical merits, their audacity and conviction cannot be denied.


© 2000 w.s. diabolus