MEGGIDO
"The
Devil and the Whore" (Barbarian Wrath; 2002)
Reviewed by Christopher J. Kelter
Meggido is a black metal band based in the not-so-black metal-hotbed of Canada. Can you say 'underground'? I can. And you should, too.
Meggido's version of black metal is 'old-school' in the vein of Bathory and Hellhammer. However, without sounding too deliberately under-produced, the clarity of the production on "The Devil And The Whore" is probably raw enough to please most black metal purists but not so under-produced as to scare away potential or casual listeners to the black metal genre in general or Meggido specifically.
While I'm not well-informed about old-school black metal, I can definitely say that this release struck me more immediately than anything released by Belphegor, War, Usurper, Aeon, or Enthroned. Without a doubt Meggido has an anti-Christian vision and the band's philosophy is set forth in the music and lyrics.
"The Devil And The Whore" features seven originals, two covers (more below), and one outro covering more than 45 minutes of primal black metal. The epic "Across The Shores …/Four Suns" is a stunning achievement that I'll return to listening to again and again.
I rarely enjoy listening to black metal of any color that doesn't have keyboards save for Immortal, but it looks like I'll have to add Meggido to the list.
"The Devil And The Whore" includes covers of Razor's "Take This Torch" and Exciter's "Violence And Force."
This release was limited to 666 hand numbered copies – happy hunting!
Meggido is ChorazaiM on vocals and guitar, Grim on bass, and Blaspherion Abraxas on drums.
For more information visit http://megiddo.cjb.net/.
Rating Guide:
A classic. This record will kick your ass.
Killer. Not a classic but it will rock your world.
So-so. You've heard better.
Pretty bad. Might make a nice coaster.
Self explanatory. Just the sight of the cover makes you wanna hurl.
Copyright © 2005 by R. Scott Bolton. All rights
reserved.
Revised: 18 Mar 2024 11:16:01 -0500.
