dodsferd-wrath-reviews

Review from Blasted by Britton

Wed, 29 Jan 2025 18:08:51 +0100

From: Blasted by Britton

Published: January 8, 2025

The Greek Black Metal scene has always had a healthy underground. Very few bands became really popular, but a ton of them were great and well-respected to those willing to dig into the scene a bit. Even though this is their eleventh full length album, it is the first time I have heard of (or heard!) music from Dodsferd. Come with me as I go through “Wrath” bit by bit and see what we have.

In this humble reviewer's opinion, “Dodsferd” is firmly entrenched in the 90’s Scandinavian Black Metal sound. Fast, very melodic and catchy guitars with excellent distortion, technique and delivery. Neptunus’s bass pounds just as loudly as the guitar and drums and I like that. I’m usually not a fan of albums that throw the bass way back in the mix. Speaking of the drums, I may be wrong, but N.D. seems to use a wood block once in a while and it sounds good. Something he hits gives a cool woody “crack” once in a while, anyway. I may be hearing things, though.

Wrath’s vocals once again remind me of the mid 90’s era of Black Metal. No screaming, no low guttural vocals, but very good middle of the road BM vocal insanity. The lyrics are about numerous topics including anti-religious themes, anti-human themes and mostly… hate! So much hate!

In the 90’s and 00’s, it seemed to me most Greek Black Metal bands opted for a super raw production on their albums. That’s not the case with “Wrath” as it has an excellent sound quality. It was mixed by Giannis Leledakis and mastered by Nasos Nomikos, who both did excellent work here.

The artwork done by George Gyzis is… I don’t know what, really. I think it’s either a vision of Hell or it may be Lord Of The Rings related. I’d bet on Hell! Either way, I really like the color scheme. The graphic design was done by Nikos Stavridakis and he did a great job with that as well. Inside the booklet you will find all of the lyrics, more art and the album band info.

I enjoyed this from beginning to end and if you are as big of a fan of pure Black Metal like I am, you would do well to pick “Wrath” up and slam it into your ear holes!

Rating: 9/10

Review from Brutally Delicious

Thu, 12 Sep 2024 10:54:17 +0100

From: Brutally Delicious

Published: September 3, 2024

Original Link

According to The Metal Archives, Dødsferd has been in existence since 2001. I’m well versed in black metal, but I’m embarrassed to admit that even being a half Greek, currently living in Athens, Greece, I have never heard of this band until their most recent release “Wrath,” was sent my way. Without doing any prior research on Dødsferd, I dove right in and immediately thought they have a classic, Scandinavian black metal sound, but with hints of Drudkh thrown in for good measure.

Now that I’m sitting down and googling the hell out of them, I can see they have an extensive and impressive discography. It would take at least a month to properly know about how they might have progressed over the decades. What I do know is that the more I listen to “Wrath,” the more I like it. It has all the elements that make a great black metal memorable. It’s raw. The drumming has shitton of double bass and blast beats. The guitar riffing is as ripping as a chainsaw. And for the vocals? They are the classic guttural with some Tom G. Warrior death grunts thrown in for good measure.

Even with a seven-year hiatus, it sounds like Dødsferd haven’t missed a blast beat. “Wrath” has plenty for the black metal enthusiast to latch onto. It’s also nice to see a band from Greece that doesn’t have a “Greek” sound to it like the other black metal and stoner type bands from this country hold on to for dear life. That’s not a knock on them, it’s just an observation. So, if you’re an OG Dødsferd fan, or just a black metal fan in general, I’m sure you’ll be giving it more than just a single spin.

Review from Depart

Thu, 12 Sep 2024 10:53:03 +0100

From: Depart

Published: August 22, 2024

Original Link

Είχα πολύ καιρό να ακούσω black metal που να με κερδίσει από την πρώτη στιγμή. Είναι ωραία τα ατμοσφαιρικά intros, αλλά για να πω τη μαύρη (you see what I did there?) αλήθεια, με έχουν κουράσει. Θέλω να γίνουν πιο to the point. Και αν κάποιο κομμάτι τραβήξει σε διάρκεια, να το κάνει με κάποιο σκοπό, ασχέτως αν αυτός είναι του γούστου μου ή όχι. Αν όλα τα παραπάνω τα έβαζα σε μια λίστα με check boxes, τότε το “Wrath” των Dødsferd θα τα τικάριζε όλα.

Γενικά, οι Dødsferd στο “Wrath” φαίνεται να κάνουν μια αναδρομή στο παρελθόν τους αλλά και στις απαρχές του είδους. Ο δίσκος θα μπορούσε να είχε κυκλοφορήσει, ας πούμε, το 1994 από κάποια νορβηγική μπάντα. Αυτή η πρόταση έχει διττή ερμηνεία: από τη μία, κάποιος μπορεί να συμπεράνει ότι το “Wrath” δεν κρύβει εκπλήξεις και πρωτοτυπίες. Όμως, υπάρχει και μια δεύτερη, αυτή που είχα και εγώ στο μυαλό μου ακούγοντας το δίσκο. Γράφτηκε ποτέ καλύτερο black metal απ’ ό,τι στη Νορβηγία των ’90s;

Υπάρχει κάτι που μπορεί να εκπλήξει όποιον ακούσει το “Wrath”, και αυτό είναι η διάρκειά του. Σχεδόν όλα τα κομμάτια ξεπερνούν τα επτά λεπτά, και παρόλα αυτά, σε κανένα σημείο δε γίνονται κουραστικά. Κύρια αιτία για αυτό είναι η πληθώρα και η ποιότητα των μελωδιών. Να πάρουμε ως παράδειγμα το “Raging Lust of Creation”. Ένα πνευματικό παιδί των Dimmu Borgir και των Emperor, που φτάνει τα δέκα λεπτά σε διάρκεια. Ενώ περιλαμβάνει πολλές ρυθμικές εναλλαγές και διαφορετικές μελωδίες, καταφέρνει να διατηρεί τη συνοχή του. Έτσι, όταν τελειώνει το κομμάτι, δεν αναρωτιέσαι πόσα τραγούδια άκουσες· είσαι βέβαιος ότι ήταν ένα, αλλά απορείς πόσο γρήγορα πέρασαν τα δέκα λεπτά.

Η μελωδικότητα είναι το στοιχείο που καθιστά το “Wrath” ένα από τα πιο ελκυστικά άλμπουμ των Dødsferd

Από τα πρώτα δευτερόλεπτα, το “Wrath” των Dødsferd ξεχωρίζει για την επιθετικότητά του. Το άλμπουμ ανοίγει με το “Restoration of Justice”, το οποίο θέτει τον τόνο για όλο τον δίσκο, προσφέροντας επτά λεπτά καταιγιστικού ρυθμού και μελωδίας. Η πιο μελαγχολική διάσταση ενσωματώνεται στο “Raging Lust of Creation”. Με την επική του ατμόσφαιρα και τα δυνατά death grunts, προσφέρει ένα ευρύ ηχητικό τοπίο που κυμαίνεται από doom μέχρι πιο άγρια riffs. Το “Heaven Drops with Human Filth” ακολουθεί, προσφέροντας μια ισορροπία ανάμεσα σε φρενήρη σημεία και άλλα, σχεδόν υπνωτικά.

Η μελωδικότητα είναι το στοιχείο που καθιστά το “Wrath” ένα από τα πιο ελκυστικά άλμπουμ των Dødsferd. Με τραγούδια, όπως το “Decay of Sanity”, που συνδυάζουν ασφυκτική οργή και επιθετικό drumming με «καυστικές» αρμονίες και πιασάρικα riffs. Η μεγάλη χρονική διάρκεια των κομματιών ούτε εδώ γίνεται αντιληπτή, καθώς οι συνθέσεις ρέουν συνεχώς, διατηρώντας την αδρεναλίνη σε υψηλά επίπεδα. Το “Failure Ablaze in Your Existence” κλείνει το άλμπουμ με ένταση, επιβεβαιώνοντας την ικανότητα των Dødsferd να παραδίδουν καλογραμμένα κομμάτια που συνδυάζουν ταχύτητα, μελωδία και… ποίηση.

Η επιστροφή των Dødsferd σε έναν πιο ασυμβίβαστο ήχο που πατάει στο νορβηγικό black metal των ’90s, συνυφαίνοντας ταυτόχρονα στοιχεία από την τελευταία εικοσαετία, αποδεικνύει την ικανότητά τους να παραμένουν συνεπείς και φρέσκοι. Το “Wrath” είναι ένας δίσκος που θέτει ζητήματα, όπως τις οικονομικές συνέπειες του καπιταλισμού. Είναι ένα άλμπουμ που θα σημαδέψει τόσο τη δισκογραφία της μπάντας όσο και την εγχώρια black metal σκηνή, προσφέροντας μια μοναδική εμπειρία ακρόασης.

Review from V-M Underground

Thu, 12 Sep 2024 10:51:49 +0100

From: V-M Underground

Published: August 19, 2024

Original Link

In the almost quarter of a century of existence the Greek Black Metal band Dødsferd has spawned nothing short of an impressive back catalogue, with this newest effort ‘Wrath’, being the twelfth full-length instalment. Like with everything that lasts a long time, Dødsferd too has went through the process of natural progression and musical development. The result of almost 25 years of tweaking, refining and readjusting is come together splendidly on this latest piece of work.

It goes without saying that Dødsferd’s earliest work sounds a lot more primitive and rugged than how the later records crystallised, but the great common denominator running through almost the entire discography is one of utter misanthropy. That this is channelled and bottled up somewhat differently over time should be only natural, but musically the line remains fairly consistent.

It is clearly not just the production that has improved over the years, a trend that can be easily observed when listening through the historical exploits, it is especially the coherence of the music that has improved by leaps and bounds. On ‘Wrath’, in fact, all the main building blocks of the Dødsferd DNA are fused into the most homogeneous body that Wrath, the lone inspirer behind the band, has yet produced. The melancholic riffs, rocking drums and hypnotic melody lines form a beautiful yet oppressive soundscape, with the screaming and shrieking vocals providing extra discomfort.

In the past, Dødsferd has often been mentioned in the same breath with a lot of greats from the “Depressive Black Metal” niche or even placed in it themselves. For me personally, that label has never really quite fitted, the howling vocals and gloomy themes alone are not enough for that, but that there is an obvious echo of everything coming out of the Depressive (or Suicidal) Black Metal corner, that’s something that’s obvious. However, that particular atmosphere is still sufficiently combined with some more traditionally based Black Metal in which the riffs play a much bigger role.

It is this combination of atmosphere and strong riffs and the mature balance therein that makes ‘Wrath’ so far pre-eminently the strongest album from its impressive oeuvre. This musical maturity also makes the rather long tracks (ranging from 5 minutes to well over 13) do not feel like an eternity; a true testament to solid song writing and musicianship.

Review by: Felix S

Review from Metal Temple

Thu, 12 Sep 2024 10:50:31 +0100

From: Metal Temple

Published: July 22, 2024

Original Link

DØDSFERD is synonymous with Wrath, the founder, vocalist, and guitarist for said band. On May 10, 2024, the band released their twelfth studio full-length album, “Wrath,” onHypnotic Dirge Records in collaboration with Fuck Your Creation Records. While the verdict is still out as to whether this technically qualifies as an eponymous album (an album named after the band that issued it), there is no question as to the reputation that DØDSFERD has garnered during their 20+ years on the extreme metal scene. They are as well-respected as they are prolific.

It has been three years since we last had album from this Greek Black Metal stalwart, though there was a 2023 acoustic collaboration with SARVOK. Although “Wrath” only comprises six tracks, it has a runtime of 43 minutes, with most tracks extending past the seven-minute mark. As far as theme, promo material states the album is a “vigorous indictment of the social and economic consequences of capitalism, political corruption, ecocide, and the largest argument against our civility – warfare.” Looking over the last three years, there has been no lack of baneful world events to draw inspiration from.

“Wrath” lives into its monicker and delivers track after track of pure vehemence. The only momentary reprieves we get are the first few intro seconds of several tracks. They each sound like different stages of someone getting flayed alive, so when I say ‘reprieve’ I mean it only nominally. Artwork is again by George Gyzis (aka Bacchus). Depicting a subterranean vein of oozing liquid gold in the shape of an inverted cross, it speaks to the corruption of earthly motives. A more than suitable image to capture the premise of the album.

The album kicks off with “Restoration of Justice” which, as you would expect, sets the tone for the entire collection. And a severe, discordant tone it is, featuring a solid seven minutes of breakneck tempo crusted with melodic tremolo. Another standout track is “Raging Lust of Creation” which hearkens back aesthetically to the utter rawness FWBM. The simple double bass intro and the layered tremolo assault is perfection. I also love the periodic death grunts that drop like lead punches. This track runs for over ten minutes providing a wide-ranging sonic landscape that varies from thick mires of Doom to the broken cliffs of jagged despair.

The final track, “Failure Ablaze in Your Existence,” couples the aforementioned field recording from hell itself with a galloping double bass to create a one glorious intro. The best moment is when Wrath intones “Summon . . . the insignificance . . . of your . . . God!” The track is replete with savage riffs and several melodic breaks. Perfect closer. Also, the title is sardonically poetic. Dark, cruel poetry, but poetic just the same.

DØDSFERD can always be relied upon for producing classically pitched Black Metal and with “Wrath” they again deliver on that commitment.

Rating: 7/10
Review by: Gary Hernandez

Review from Metal Nightfall

Thu, 12 Sep 2024 10:49:06 +0100

From: Metal Nightfall

Published: June 21, 2024

Original Link

Lorsque nous nous habituons à l’excellence, nous rehaussons inéluctablement nos exigences et rabaissons notre seuil de tolérance, car l’excellence fait vibrer. Elle brille de sa superbe, elle embellit, elle invente de nouvelles routes, elle produit et engendre des auras. Dans cette course aux étoiles, peu d’êtres ou de choses les tutoient. L’existence fait aussi varier les exigences, les durcit ou les désinvestit c’est selon. En matière de Black Metal, comme dans toutes choses, je me garde bien de croire aux prophéties des autres et ne me passionne que pour niveler mon propre parcours musical. Il en va de même pour vous j’imagine très chers lecteurs, nous sommes tous ainsi, différents et complémentaires à la fois. Pour ce qu’il en est de cette chronique, non elle ne s’est pas perdue dans cette discussion de comptoir, car DØDSFERD n’est pas anecdotique pour moi.

Ces Grecs écument les scènes – très souvent en tournées – depuis de longues années. En tout cas au moins depuis que le groupe existe soit dès le début de ce millénaire. Et leur discographie est consistante et se porte à ce jour encore pour le mieux. Pas facile pour moi de définir ce que DØDSFERD fait résonner en moi, je dirais qu’en premier lieu je trouve cette entité retorse au sens figuré du terme. Malsaine, fielleuse et mue par les désordres , DØDSFERD a ce côté indomptable, au-dessus de la mêlée, et cette obstination à être traversé par la révolte, la furie, l’agressivité… Depuis son deuxième album "Fucking Your Creation" (2007), et le suivant "Cursing Your Will To Live" (2007) que je vous ai chroniqués en ces pages, DØDSFERD a développé son jeu espiègle et brutal, et trouvé sa voie d’excellence. Celle peut-être de hanter le Black Metal d’une anarchie misanthrope. La férocité de sa saleté de chanteur/guitariste Wrath y sont pour beaucoup. Compositeur tenace et fidèle aux ordres de la colère, son timbre est l’un des plus engagés à produire avec véhémence des éclats enragés. J’avoue avoir eu un faible pour son jeu vocal dès les premiers instants, à l’instar d’autres chanteurs dingues et Hardcore.

DØDSFERD n’a jamais produit un Black Metal contemplatif ni de circonstance mais enragé. Juste enragé comme un pétage de plombs possible, latent ou expulsé avec honneur et force. Beaucoup des albums de Wrath sont des usines à Pogo, mais brillent aussi très souvent de bien d’autres lectures possibles que du seul prisme de crudité dont spontanément chacun d’entre-eux fait preuve. Si vous écoutez le très virulent "Death Set The Beginning Of My Journey" (2008), l’oppressant et glaçant "A Breed Of Parasites"(2013), vous trouverez les détours progressifs et mélodiques de "Wastes Of Life" (2015) saisissants, et "Diseased Remnants Of A Dying World" (2018) vous achèvera dans son magma taciturne, atmosphérique et sombrement mélodieux. Si je vous cite ces albums, c’est qu’ils sont tous bardés de cette excellence dont je vous parlais au début de cette chronique. Enfin selon moi, vous l’auriez compris. À mon sens chacun d’eux méritent une belle breloque et partagent les places d’un utopique podium. En tout cas ils occupent une belle place dans mon estime et figurent dans une catégorie à part que je pourrais qualifier d’intouchables.

Depuis l’album de 2018, Wrath et ses chiens de guerre ont repris le flambeau de leur prime verdeur en retrouvant les terres acides et fertiles d’un champ de guerre encore fumant. Et ce nouvel album ne dément pas cette impression. Sobrement intitulé "Wrath" (= le courroux), il circonscrit en quasiment trois-quarts d'heure les velléités de ce retour en grâce du vent furieux d’un Black Metal venimeux, à sang froid et constricteur. Fidèle à son habitude de titres assez longs (avec une moyenne de sept minutes pour six titres), DØDSFERD nous embarque dans une de ses tranchées dont il a le secret pour aller sentir à pleine narines la pourriture et les miasmes. Si la voix de Wrath a perdu de sa superbe, son riffing est bien en place et sonne toujours juste et emporté. L'opus ne m’aura pas embarqué cependant avec la même férocité que les albums infects du début de sa discographie. Mais "Decay Of Sanity" est vraiment un putain de sale titre, et pour DØDSFERD, ce vocable signe une réussite. Bien ficelé, bien mitraillé, bien ligoté c’est un hymne pour le peloton d’exécution. Et que dire de "Spiritual Lethargy" ? Peut-être qu’il est la danse sur le corps de ce même peloton d’exécution sur les victimes jetées au sol. Les blasts continuent ne feront que galvaniser la troupe à piétiner de manière frénétique les cadavres. Et si "Heaven Drops With Human Filth" maintiendra les ardeurs nous pourrions toutefois ressentir des soupçons de lassitude croître à mesure que ce titre déroule son artillerie. Heureusement le sournois et pervers "Failure Ablaze In Your Existence" reprendra du galon pour finir le travail bien plus sadiquement qu’il n’avait commencé, mais une fois encore le cœur n’y sera plus au bout de quelques temps.

Un peu déçu – j’en attendais davantage depuis le bilan mitigé des derniers LP et EP du groupe – je concède néanmoins que "Wrath" a besoin de temps et d’écoutes supplémentaires pour se décanter et s’apprécier davantage. Mais la force de DØDSFERD a toujours été de taper fort, brutalement, vite et avec une précision démoniaque. Cet album me nourrira donc encore de bons mois et me permettra d’attendre avec la même ferveur le suivant.

Review from Black Metal Ist Krieg

Thu, 12 Sep 2024 10:43:09 +0100

From: Black Metal Ist Krieg

Published: June 30, 2024

Original Link

I Dødsferd fanno parte di quella schiera, in verità assai nutrita, di gruppi greci che suonano come se fossero scandinavi, tra cui possiamo annoverare gente come Lunar Spells, emersi abbastanza di recente, o i più stagionati Sad. Pure la band di Wrath, che resta la mente dietro alla creatura Dødsferd, anche se coadiuvato dal fido Neptunus al basso ormai da molti anni, non è certo di primo pelo, anzi è sulla piazza praticamente da vent’anni ed è di quelle band che basta distrarsi un attimo che ti cacciano fuori album, ep, split e demo come se piovesse. E infatti i nostri amici sono arrivati all’invidiabile traguardo della dodicesima fatica sulla lunga distanza, senza in sostanza deviare mai dalle coordinate stilistiche del black metal puro e canonico espresso fin dagli esordi in dischi come “Fucking Your Creation” e “Cursing Your Will To Live” (due album usciti entrambi nel 2007, che seppero dire la loro in tempi di revival true black metal e che ancora oggi hanno il loro bel perché), pur navigando con costanza in lungo e in largo tra le varie sfumature del genere e concedendosi di tanto in tanto qualche scappatella, come ad esempio la collaborazione acustica con Sarvok. E quindi cosa aspettarsi da questo nuovo lavoro? Ovvio, niente di più e niente di meno che black metal che più black metal non si può, in una sorta di summa retrospettiva della carriera della band, considerato anche il titolo autocelebrativo che rimanda allo pseudonimo del mastermind del progetto. E in effetti in questo disco ritroviamo tutte le caratteristiche salienti del sound dell’ensemble ellenico che, a essere onesti, non si è mai distinto per particolare originalità o freschezza compositiva ma ha comunque saputo costruirsi con perseveranza nel corso degli anni una sua nicchia sonora nella quale potranno facilmente trovare un famigliare riparo tutti gli aficionados del true black metal di stampo scandinavo (e in particolare norvegese, con qualche sfumatura più melodica), per certi aspetti raccogliendo forse anche meno di quanto probabilmente avrebbe meritato.

La band recupera quindi ancora una volta le proprie radici e suona con innegabili esperienza e mestiere: credo che davvero nessun ascoltatore, per quanto navigato, potrà trattenersi dal muovere la testa in segno di approvazione all’ascolto di brani come l’opener “Restoration Of Justice” o la successiva “Decay Of Sanity”, che sono a mio parere gli episodi più riusciti del lotto, dove emergono allo stesso modo l’inconfondibile eredità darkthroniana e una certa tensione melodica, accompagnate da qualche incursione in territori più marcatamente black n’ roll, altra influenza che fa capolino costantemente nei lavori dei Dødsferd ma che tutto sommato in questo disco resta più contenuta che in passato. Se devo essere sincero Wrath ha sempre avuto la tendenza ad annacquare leggermente la zuppa, scrivendo pezzi più lunghi del necessario, che da un certo momento in poi sembrano trascinarsi perdendo di vista il main riff o la struttura ritmica che te li aveva fatti inizialmente apprezzare.

E questa tendenza c’è puntualmente anche qui, con canzoni dalla durata media abbondante e un paio di brani di oltre dieci minuti che avrebbero richiesto qualche sforbiciata (e pensate che nella versione vinile c’è una bonus track abbastanza inutile di voci e campionamenti, per uno sbrodolamento totale di oltre tredici minuti): laddove invece la band si concentra e sviluppa bene una manciata di idee, trattenendo il proprio impulso creativo in tempi più ristretti, riesce secondo me anche ad esprimersi meglio e a risultare più incisiva, come avviene ad esempio in “Spiritual Lethargy”, canzone molto piacevole pur nella sua assoluta prevedibilità. Ma non stiamo a fare troppo gli schizzinosi: in fondo “this is black fucking metal”, o no? E quindi direi che va bene così: i Dødsferd si confermano dei gregari di lusso, questo disco piacerà a chi li ha seguiti e potrebbe essere l’occasione per cominciare ad ascoltarli per chi ancora non li conosce.

Rating: 70/100

Review by: Black Blood Vomitorium

Review from ZWaremetalen

Fri, 31 May 2024 11:46:59 +0100

From: ZWaremetalen

Published: May 25, 2024

Original Link

Since 2001, Wrath, the man behind the Greek Dødsferd, has been spitting and vomiting on everything and everyone. There are few who escape his curse and wrath. We certainly don’t. The Portuguese Hypnotic Dirge Records releases album number twelve of this motley crew in various attractive formats. The title, ah yes, no need to complicate things, it’s simply Wrath. The last time we heard from this gentleman was quite a while ago. It was the blessed year 2015 when colleague Clemens scrutinized the album Wastes Of Life and promptly kicked out his girlfriend, quit his job, and started living on the streets. Promises, promises…

The grimy, dirty cesspool black metal of these Greek friends has a link to times gone by. More specifically to earlier melodic black metal bands that also operated from the sunny Greek mainland or islands. Bands like Eschaton at the time of Causa Fortior or other releases on the Nykta label. A label that is still active, by the way. Also think of Order Of The Ebon Hand and their XV: The Devil album. The music of this Dødsferd also ties to the Finnish school or the German school with a Finnish touch if you catch my drift.

Oh, you don’t have to wait long for masterfully executed cutting melodic black metal riffs at high speed. Without mercy the gentlemen Wrath and Neptunus ram them dryly down your throat. An honorable mention should also be made for Mr. N.D. on drums because this good gentleman proves to be able to convincingly show his dark side. Restoration Of Justice delivers exactly what it should. Poison, venom, filth but also rawness. Mr. Wrath has always been able to magnificently phrase his acidic lyrics, and here as well he proves to be a master of phrasing. Admittedly, he also sins a bit too much in the first track with unnecessary ‘ooh’s and ‘ah’s, but we gladly accept that, especially when there’s a rolling double bass carpet underneath. Particularly gripping and incisive are the narrative strummed passages that were only briefly included in the song Decay Of Sanity.

Spiritual Lethargy hits you again with magical melodic passages coming from the burning crust of Mother Earth. And it doesn’t stop! Mr. Wrath, together with his companions, gleefully beats all the fun out of your life, if there was any in it, of course. Both Heaven Drops With Human Filth and Failure Ablaze In Your Existence are sick in the same bed as the predecessors on this record. As an extra, as a little dessert, Wrath, in collaboration with m. Sarvok, brings forth another song, Back To My Homeland… A Beast In Calm. An electronic, ambient-like sound escapade that for me wasn’t really necessary.

Wrath, album number twelve from the Greek black metal gods of Dødsferd, is a magisterial record. It’s a journey back in time to the basics, to the foundation upon which the entire (melodic) Greek black metal scene was built. Very strong! Purchase is mandatory, in physical format for example! Look at those attractive vinyl versions!

Rating: 90/100
Reviewed by: Joris Meeuwissen

Review from Metal Roos

Fri, 31 May 2024 11:45:13 +0100

From: Metal Roos

Published: May 22, 2024

Original Link

Dødsferd is an act that is immediately recognizable in the underground. Their output is staggering with eleven full-length releases and countless splits, collaborations, and EPS since the Greek’s inception in 2006. The duo of Wrath and Neptunus return with their twelfth full-length offering to the black metal hordes. Wrath is an album that celebrates everything darkness eschewing the experimental notions, and depressive leanings of recent years.

Pure unadulterated second-wave infused black metal that revels in its blasphemy and celebrates its misanthropy to the masses and narrow-minded, It is a glorious return to their older sound that Dodsfred excels in. Speed and manic riffing combined with an ear for melody and dynamics make “Spiritual Lethargy” instantly memorable, yet it is the epic ‘’ Raging Lust of Creation’’ and ‘’ Failure Ablaze in Your Existence’’ that are true highlights, pure, effective with great leads that belly the tracks lengthy run times, blistering in their zeal and energy, the DSBM influence is gone ( yet there is a bonus track “Back to my Homeland…A Beast in Calm,” lurking on some variants that is a DSBM nightmare). Dodsfreds indictment of corruption and the consequence of capitalism are visceral in their intensity, Wrath’s vocals are accusatory, condemning and ultimately scathing of the world Dodsfred inhabit but does not belong to.

Wrath heralds a return to the nineties Norwegian style that is innately confident and coherent. Dødsferd has delivered an assault on the senses that whilst being instantly recognizable, it is fresh and burns brightly with its passionate hatred. Raw and bristling with a bleak atmosphere that is brittle and unforgiving Wrath is the perfect black metal record for those seeking untainted aggression.

Rating: 4/5

Review from Thrashocore

Fri, 31 May 2024 11:44:10 +0100

From: Thrashocore

Published: May 21, 2024

Original Link

Il y a trois ans, en 2021 donc, est sorti l’un des meilleurs albums de ces 10 dernières années selon... moi-même : Suicide and the Rest of Your Kind Will Follow Part II de DODSFERD. Il s’agissait du deuxième essai du Grec dans un style plus dépressif, avec deux longs titres extrêmement riches, extrêmement jouissifs. Mais comme le premier volume, paru en 2009, il ne s’agissait que d’une parenthèse, et le nouvel album, Wrath du nom de son géniteur, reprend bien vite les vieilles habitudes. Sauf qu’il a repris les vieilles, vieilles, vieilles habitudes, et ce sont celles qui ont contribué à faire de DODSFERD un légende.

Entre les compilations, les splits et les albums live, il est un peu difficile d’être clair sur le nombre d’album sortis jusqu’à présent, mais il me semble que Wrath est le 12ème. Par contre, il pourrait très bien être considéré comme le 4ème ou 5ème si ce n’était pas la temporalité mais le style pratiqué qui était pris en compte, car il reprend les éléments du groupe de la deuxième partie des années 2000, quand Fucking Your Creation, Cursing Your Will to Live et Death Set the Beginning of My Journey nous avaient arrosés de PIPI ! Non, pas de pipi... De PIPI ! C’est l’abréviation des quatre maîtres-mots du groupe culte. P comme Percutant, I comme Incisif, P comme Poignant, I comme Immersif. Et ces 7 compositions sont le mélange parfait et idéal de ces adjectifs.

Les 6 premières pistes se rapprochent dangereusement mais très efficacement des premiers albums, avec une sensation d’urgence continue qui nous place en alerte. Ce sont des déferlantes de haine, de malaise, de révolte et de démotivation. Le rythme est très agressif, des mélodies apparaissent pour rendre les compositions légèrement fragiles, et les vocaux sont toujours aussi doués pour abattre la misère sur nos têtes. La formule était connue, mais elle n’avait pas été appliquée avec autant de grâce depuis longtemps. Attention, cela ne sous-entend pas qu’elle est meilleure que celle des morceaux dépressifs, mais que dans sa différence, dans son style, elle est impressionnante.

Ceux qui auront choisi la version digitale de l’album pourront s’arrêter ici de lire la chronique, car ils ne bénéficieront pas du morceau bonus ajouté aux version CD et vinyle : « Back to My Homeland… a Beast in Calm ». Dommage pour eux parce que l’on découvre ici un DODSFERD bien différent. Ce titre doit avant tout rappeler des souvenirs aux fans, puisque l’album de 2018, Diseased Remnants of a Dying World, contenait « Back to My Homeland… My Last Breath... ». C’est une sorte de suite, un titre qui donne l’impression d’être une outro bonus n’ayant pour unique but que de clore tranquillement l’album. Sauf que cette fois-ci, en plus des bruits inquiétants et des râles de Wrath, une partie surprenante commence à partir de 6:10 : un chant typé trap. Enfin... vu mes piètres connaissances dans le domaine, c’est le style qu’il m’a semblé reconnaître. En tout cas, c’est plutôt réussi, et cela colle bien à l’univers sombre de DODSFERD. Cela aurait pu être lassant sur l’ensemble de l’album, mais comme ça, sur les 7 dernières minutes, c’est efficace.

Wrath est un album excellent. Le groupe a beau exister depuis plus de 20 ans, il est toujours animé par des sentiments noirs avec de fortes nuances, et il parvient toujours à les représenter avec subtilités d’un album à l’autre, d’un titre à l’autre, d’un passage à l’autre. Culte.