They are probably not the first band to base their album concept on Kubrick’s A Clockwork Orange but that’s what veteran Italian blackened thrashers Necrodeath have based their latest release Singing in the Pain on.
A one-way journey soaked in immorality and violence, with a vain attempt at redemption and normality. Sounds intriguing and with Venom Inc’s Tony Dolan providing the narration, there’s plenty of heft to tackle.
Necrodeath have been around in some shape or form for nearly 40 years, although it’s since 1998 that the band really took shape with vocalst Flegias and drummer Peso, with guitarist Pier and bassist GL ing around a decade later. The band has been in a stable position for the past 15 years, which has resulted in a steady stream of releases, the most recent being EP Neraka in 2020 and their last full length 2019’s Defragments of Insanity.
The album opens with background screams and whoops with the “Singing in the Rain” tune being hummed before the band rip ferociously into “Gang Fight” which has ominous “Seasons in the Abyss” tones to it. It explodes into a more frenetic pace shortly afterwards, combining visceral thrash with those slower, brooding segments which provide a sinister and chilling atmosphere.
As the story unfolds, the intensity rarely lets up. The songs are often short, sharp, and aggressive, in keeping with the themes. “The Sweet Up and Down” begins with a malevolent feel, the Flegias bringing a demonic vocal delivery and scream, which is transferred with venom on “Redemperdition”.
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It’s in keeping with the themes of the album that there is an overall feeling of dread that drifts throughout the record. Slower, darker paced songs drip with hatred, whilst the odd melody that bursts through in the guitar work provides flickers of light. “Delicious Milk Plus” is a key example, the heaviness coming from the slow, deliberately malicious tempo, which explodes with vitriolic savagery.
There’s so much to absorb that Singing in the Pain demands repeated plays. The contrast between “Oomny-People” and the thrash blast of “The (In)Sane Ultraviolence” is marked, with the former having an industrial swagger, whilst the finale “Anithero” is a brutal Possessed style death thrasher with the presence of Eric Forrest of E-Force (ex-VoivoD) bringing an extra dimension.
It’s another feral release to add to the Italians burgeoning collection. Dark, moody, and intense, it’s something that may well unnerve you, but remains essential listening.
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Singing In The Pain is out on December 28th
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