Rating: 5.9

Country: Sweden

Release Date: 2008

Record Label: Pulverised Records

Track list:
1. Curse of Devastation 04:06
2. Consume 04:16
3. New World Filth 03:53
4. Reaper in Black 2006 04:29

Total playing time 16:44

Band Website: In Aeternum

In Aeternum - Curse of Devastation MCD

David Larsson: vocals/guitars
Petra Karlsson: drums
Clabbe Ramberg: bass
Erik Kumpulainen: guitar

Poor, poor In Aeternum. Since it's initial inception around '99 or so, it seems the stoic luciferians have endured more instability through the years than the average Hollywood celebutard (Though admittedly I don't mind seeing Britney or Lindsay without panties every now and then!). Revolving door line-ups, shady record distribution deals, yadda, yadda, you know the deal. It's enough to get one so fed up that suddenly the thought of entertaining folks at Bar Mitzvahs, weddings, and sweet 16's doesn't seem like a bad career alternative after all. Well, the Swedes have apparently garnered some kind of partnership with Pulverised Records in the form of an EP just to let the masses know they're still breathing. Interestingly enough whereas past outings saw the Swedes coming across as a second rate Angelcorpse here it seems they've opted for a more slightly nuanced and dare I say, subdued approach that at at times has me likening them more to God Dethroned's younger brother after inheriting all of it's hand me downs. Thus while tried and true Scandinavian Black Metal seems to be the order of the day here, apparently this time around the band has ordered some nice complementary side dishes of traditional thrash and 90's flavored Gothenburg Death Metal to maintain a well rounded diet of sorts.

Right from the start, "Curse of Devastation" strangely enough jolts you out of your senses with a hauntingly melodic solo already in progress to which several times I had to stop and make sure that I hadn't mistakingly played the CD somewhere in the middle or at the very least left it on pause while I stopped listening to do the usual laundry tasks or engage in a much needed piss break or whatever. Anyway, awkward moments aside the track intermingles lackadaisical paced Motorhead shuffling rhythms (Orgasmatron, anyone?) with abrupt but clean arpeggiated bursts of speed and soaring harmonics (again, think God Dethroned here) which despite the flawless execution only reassure you that you've heard it all before. Then there's the second track, "Consume" which takes on a more glorious midpaced war march that has me instantly conjuring up some of the rousing chorus moments of Amon Amarth and the tastefully melodic solo laid down sounds like a testament to all the brave warriors that have sacrificed their lives during battle and the spilt blood has now enriched the soil. "New World Filth" is an upbeat rocker that marries Overkill's blunt streetwise banter w/ again God Dethroned's unbridled blood lust and seems even reminiscent of GD's golden period and pinnacle achievement, Bloody Blasphemy but yet somehow comes across a bit tired and forced for the most part. In other words, it just seems as if the band is starting to run on a gas tank that reads, "empty" and now they're desperately blasting by on remaining fumes. Or perhaps they just seem more confident relying on the "if it's not broke, don't fix it" formula. Like an overrated stand up comic that relies on the same bag of tricks (Yes, I'm staring at you Dane Cook!) over and over, the band adheres to the worn out techniques of arpeggiated riffing sequences and sweeping guitar harmonies that in end leave the brunt of the songs practically devoid of any soul or emotion. Though interestingly enough, the last track, "Reaper in Black" incorporates a bit of Rotting Christ's open ceremonial brotherhood vibe which sort of tells you right then and there that In Aeternum is certainly about fan appreciation and had this song been played live, chances are there would indeed be a couple of raised and bobbing fists with a stream of enthusiastic lips mouthing the lyrics in orgiastic glee. Also I'd like to add that the accompanying guitar solo here is eerily reminiscent of the late Jon Nodtveidt's work in Dissection, that is if someone slipped him a roofie in his bottle of absinthe. In other words, ominous and slithering like a serpent but confident and motivating like an acclaimed orator.

Despite the number of positives on display here, there are however an overwhelming number of negatives that get in the way like a bloated school bully drooling snot all over your precious new Nike sneakers your Mom was kind enough to hold down two jobs to pay for. One of them being the streamlined Abyss studio production which sadly compromises any raw, honest to goodness "human" organics for a more warm and polished, accessibly friendly affair that perhaps would greatly appeal to Dimmu Borgir fans like a freshly steaming turd to a horde of salivating flies. Thus the drums sounding a bit too mechanical and the guitars way too loud in the mix. Furthermore the only time any bass is ever present is during the midpaced rhythms on the last track, "Reaper in Black." Aside from all that, given the overabundant amount of times the word "Satan" is blurted out in a tourette's syndrome like fit, you're bound to inevitably be reminded of the church lady character from Saturday Night Live skits of yore. Indeed, I found myself uttering a few "Shut the fuck ups" in aggravated response and truthfully the novelty already grew tiresome as far back as with early Venom albums. Basically, in a nutshell if more cultworthy acts like Shining, Drudkh, Fear of Eternity, and Sigh are what one would perhaps call the mature highbrow monologues of Nietzche then In Aeternum would be the unapologetically plagiarized and adolescent minded vulgar rantings of Anton La Vey.

If nothing else, In Aeternum could very well be a safe stepping stone for anyone that's always wanted to venture into the realm of Black Metal without easily becoming intimidated by the overt misanthropic leanings and often misunderstood lo fi production values. Though take my word for it, God Dethroned did it a hell of a lot better. However, as a mini CD, me thinks this might have been a tad rushed so as to meet obligatory deadlines or something to that effect. Let's see what the possible future full length brings.

March 11th, 2007