Necrophobic - Mark Of The Necrogram (2018)

Now here's an all-star lineup if there ever was one. The glorious return of the Francis Rossi and Rick Parfitt of death metal, Sebastian Ramstedt and Johan Bergeback, the incomparable Joakim Sterner and Alex Friberg, and Mr. Nocturnal Silence himself, Anders Strokirk returns to the vocals after nearly two decades. If this lineup on paper (and that album cover) doesn't get your dick hard to rape some nuns and penguins that look like nuns, I don't know what to tell you. [1]

From my point of view, many bands have the potential to release a perfect album. Sodom, Desaster, Marduk, Onslaught, Terrifier, to name but a few. But only a few number of groups really has published a 100% work. Necrophobic's "Death to All" from 2009 left absolutely no room for improvement and this ingenious output became a burden for the successor. "Womb of Lilithu" did not have the strength to challenge "Death to All" and revealed previously unknown weaknesses. Instead of recording another compact 10-track-album, the Swedes filled the output to the brim with 14 songs. "Mark of the Necrogram" gets back to the less opulent configuration and the impressive artwork whets the appetite additionally. The battle for the throne of Swedish black metal - one of the most beautiful thrones worldwide - can begin anew and Necrophobic know that their blood-thirsty enemies (Marduk, Dark Funeral, maybe Watain) have sharpened their weapons. [2]

From what I remember reading, Womb of Lillthu left quite a few people cold with it's recycled riffs and references to Middle Eastern mythology. There was speculation that this was likely the result of Tobias and Joakim were tired musicians at work. The latter must have taken this criticism quite seriously (the former was given a rightful heave-ho as the result of domestic violence) because according to the liner notes, he does not write a single note or letter on Mark of the Necrogram. Letting the returning old timers write the bulk of the material was a very humble and smart gesture on his part. The mythology seems to have been scaled back significantly (there's still a couple of child slaughtering Mesopotamian demons here and there) to make room for the Norwegian Black Plague and....Russian hydrogen bombs? Well, you can't say those have nothing to do with death. [1]

It is surely an irrational emotion in view of the quite unstable line-up of the band, but since their debut, I have the feeling that Necrophobic are one of the five or ten musically most competent organizations on the entire globe. Their signature riffs always combine darkness and melody in such a perfect manner - if they would paint a picture in this immaculate way, I could not believe my eyes. For sure, "Mark of the Necrogram" does not add a new dimension to their sound and the apostles of progress can scream "stagnation" (without realizing that they only stigmatise themselves in view of their pathological desire for constantly new approaches). Even if their criticism were correct, I would like to add that stagnation is much better than deformation. This applies all the more with regard to the extremely high level of Necrophobic's art. Their material does not need faecal, childish or anti-musical elements in order to have a fascinating effect. The compositions possess the unfathomable depth which made the classics of Dissection, for example "Black Horizons" or "Unhallowed", to something very special. Expressed differently, their smooth flow does not affect the degree of evilness. The omnipresent demonic aura lends the album its homogeneity and the maturity of the compositions is, as always, almost second to none. [2]

I imagine this will easily be a top 10 of the year contender for many hessians and will sit proudly in the rack next to the rest of their Necrophobic catalog. Necrophobic scratches a black/death metal itch that very few so called retro bands manage to do. This one will break your back skin like a Wiccan woman that just got her brains fucked out. Buy with confidence. [1]

After sinister pieces such as the orientation giving title track, the devastating "Odium Caecum" and the beseeching "Lamashtu", "From the Great Above to the Great Below" invites the listener for the last time to be engulfed by a dark maelstrom. Just like the sweetest girl I know, Necrophobic's art has a mind-blowing and magical component at the same time. Especially the mixture of the melodic guitar leads and the highly explosive speed parts is excellent, even though the mighty drumming also plays a prominent role. The only regular track that does not surpass a solid level is "Tsar Bomba". It lacks intensity, but this remains a bearable exception, because this is still a good track. So who is now sitting on the throne of Swedish black metal? I am sorry to inform you that fire and smoke have taken my sight. Not to mention Marduk's "Nebelwerfer"; the arsenal of Morgan seems to be inexhaustible. Anyway, I can assure you that every army uses its weapons cleverly. This is a very intensive battle - and Necrophobic have good prospects to succeed. [2]

Tracks

1. Mark of the Necrogram
2. Odium Caecum
3. Tsar Bomba
4. Lamashtu
5. Sacrosanct
6. Pesta
7. Requiem for a Dying Sun
8. Crown of Horns
9. From the Great Above to the Great Below
10. Undergången

If you like it, please buy it originally from their official website/store.

Necrophobic - Mark Of The Necrogram (2018)

This review published by TrooperAd [1] and Felix 1666 [2] on Metallum

Source: Metallum [1] [2]