Black Cobra's "Invernal" is another brutal full-throttle attack from Southern Lord. As a duo that sounds beefier and heavier than most bands twice their size, Black Cobra are known for mixing breakneck metal with sludge to powerful effect. "Invernal" is the band's fourth album overall, and second for SL, following in the wake of 2009's excellent "Chronomega." The record finds drummer Rafa Martinez and guitarist Jason Landrian ratcheting things up even further, sounding more relentless than ever, which I didn't think possible. Imagine that you are being pursued by every single sentient being on earth, and they will not stop until you are dead. This is the soundtrack to that nightmarish death race. While onslaught really is what this band does best, when they throw in a little diversity it only adds to the overall effect. Songs like "Crimson Blade" and "Corrosion Fields" stand out as a result of stylistic and tempo shifts. At the same time, even the most monolithic of tracks are full of endless twists and turns to keep listeners hooked for some time. This was one of the most anticipated releases of the year for me personally, and I can easily say that it has more than exceeded my expectations. I'll be dissecting "Invernal" in the weeks and months to come with a large satisfied grin on my face.
"Avalanche"
No comments:
Post a Comment