Slaegt – Goddess
Release Date: 18th March 2022
Label: Century Media Records
Pre-Order/Pre-Save
Genre: Blackened Heavy Metal
FFO: Tribulation, In Solitude, Cloak.
Review By: Rick Farley
OK so let’s cut right to the chase, if you mix Tribulation, Venom, Merciful Fate, Dissection and the 70’s you’ll start to get an idea of what Slaegt sound like. In the bands press release they’re labelled as Blackened Thrash and that’s true to some extent, but it’s also selling it short quite a bit. This is 90’s style raw Black Metal mixed with the NWOBHM scene and some kick-ass 70’s Rock spirit. Denmark’s Slaegt meaning Lineage/Heritage in Danish, started life as a traditional Black Metal band releasing several full lengths before recently signing with Century Media Records. With an already strong fanbase and major props from the likes of Gothenburg legend Tomas Lindberg, Slaegt are set to unleash their major label debut Goddess.
Full of intoxicating riffs, blast beats, and rock hooks, Goddess is an amalgamation of genes, styles and time periods. Pushing the boundaries of how far music can go forward while completely looking backwards. In every sense of the word this band is experimental, innovative, fresh and completely unafraid to draw from all its roots. It twists and turns from frosty grim atmospheres to glorious Heavy Metal solos. From raging thrashy guitars to beautiful uplifting melodies. All while maintaining razor sharp focus throughout the entirety of the album. Each song is crafted masterfully, all distinctly using different moods and styles but still maintaining accord.
The embedded video track Kiss From A Knife thrashes about with a fast face ripping riff and loud thunderous drums. It’s aggressive 80’s Thrash mixed with some start/stop non-traditional chord structures and frenzied percussive fills. The odd slightly off-key and playful guitar melodies frequenting the song border on disharmony and sheer mayhem. The discordant sections sounds like it could fall apart at any minute yet keeps a relentless pace like an unstoppable freight train creating unnerving tension between complex and just plain thrashing riffs.
At a little over the four-minute mark the song rips into a furious little solo reminiscent of the Kill ‘Em All days, it doesn’t last long, but it’s the perfect fit for the raging nature of this chaotic beast.
A single hunting horn rings out once to call everyone to Hunt Again. Bringing forth some evil sounding blackened Heavy Metal. A bit of Dissection’s frosty influence peeks its way in. Sinister, black-hearted riffs and blast beats start this track like the devil himself is about to manifest right before your eyes. It mutates into a more traditional Old School Heavy Metal groove still sounding dark and evil, with a ripping solo right before the first verse. Fast galloping tremolo picked verses end with raspy ghoulish growls “It’s time to hunt again.” An open sustaining chord rings out while a basic rock drumbeat sets the slower headbanging groove to come. The song picks up into a tight, fuzzy riff that would be right at home on any early Priest album. One unique and cool thing about this song is the use of the “Train beat.” It’s probably most recognized in faster Old School Country songs. It goes the last two minutes with the song’s catchy chords structures and bluesy solo melodies overtop.
Dramatic album closer Goddess is my personal favourite. It’s got everything, blackened Heavy Metal riffs, dual guitar harmonies, heavy pummelling drums, catchy lyrics, angelic melodies, thorny growls, a ripping yet melodic solo. It’s gritty, dark, hooky and entrancing. A magnetic eleven-minute masterpiece full of ebbs and flows that’s sure to put a smile on any metalheads face.
It seems these days “buzz bands” are just so frequent and often not worthy of the prestige they get. I can assure you in this case Slaegt deserve all the accolades and more. The production is top-notch. Everything is mixed well and is completely audible. Chock-full of complex layers, each instrument brightly shines through. The drums are pushed a little forward in the mix, they sound alive, punishing and real. It gives each track a bit more life. The musicianship and songwriting are nothing short of incredible as well. At six songs and forty minutes, it’s enough to keep you from being fatigued by the sometimes-challenging music, but still left wanting more. Black Metal vocals and riffs intertwined with Prog, 70’s Rock, Heavy Metal, Thrash, and a healthy dose of unique weirdness makes Goddess an easy choice for AOTY contender.
(5 / 5)
