Rating: 8.8

Country: France

Release Date: 2006

Record Label: Moribund

Track list:
1 - ...
2 - Seraphic Conspiracy [mp3]
3 - Melancholia Balneam Diaboli
4 - Redeem Restless Souls
5 - Insemination
6 - The Birth Of A Life's Sacerdoce
7 - Descension From Life
8 - Subcutaneous Infection
9 - Consecration Of The Temple
10 - Carnaceral
11 - Adiabatic Bonds Of Cosanguinity

Band Website: Merrimack

Merrimack - Of Entropy and Life Denial

Terrorizt - Vocals
Perversifier - Guitar
Feyd - Guitar
Dispater - Bass
Necrolith - Drums

After over 10 years of obscurity, there aren't many people really in the know about this band. Until recently reading an interview with them in a local metal mag, I was one of them. I've heard their name tossed about in casual conversations and reviews, but I really had no idea what I was in for as I popped 'Of Entropy And Life Denial' into the changer. In recent years, I've found myself increasingly hesitant to even bother with Black Metal bands and their music. I've passively followed the goings on of the more well known acts, but more often than not, new Black Metal albums are ignored completely. And while Merrimack's latest offering may not be enough to inspire me to delve headlong into the genre once again, it's certainly good. And in my relatively limited experience as of late, I'd venture to say it's one of the best Black Metal albums of recent years.

France has never really been viewed as a thriving scene by most, spare the infamous 'Black Legions'. And in all fairness, how much of an impact did they really make, aside from the hype spewed by crazed fanboys, ridiculously limited pressings of their albums and refusal to embrace technological advances such as the internet? Sadly, however, that's the type of thing that comes to my mind when I think of 'French Black Metal', moreso Black Metal in general. Gimmickry, pretense, and above all - downright awful music. The musical climate seems to be moving past the immature nonsense that has plagued it for so long, with the most recent crop of releases standing as testaments of the loathing, despair, and contempt for humanity that Black Metal once represented. Thankfully, we can now find bands such as Merrimack exempt from the influence of trends. Not only is Merrimack a full five-piece band, but their music was recorded by Necromorbus Studios of Sweden. The very same studio where Insision's 'The Dead Live On' was recorded. Necromorbus lends a gritty but clear sound to Merrimack's blasphemous cacophony.

'Of Entropy And Life Denial' is pleasantly devoid of pompous sounding interludes and cliche intros and immediately lunges for the jugular with the opening track "Seraphic Decay" What we have here is intelligently crafted Black Metal of modulating tempos with more than a hint of melody and a serious nod to the old school. Merrimack are far from self-indulgent. Their music is as serious as a heart-attack, and gets straight to the point. They manage to avoid the typical trappings of the genre such as unnecessarily long songs, rhythmic monotony, raspy screeching and whatnot. Merrimack's vocal attack ranges from extreme high register screams, to low end gut-barking, and the music follows suit. Tempos range from frenetic to dirge-like in the span of this 56 minute affair. During faster sections, the music is typically driven by the drummer, who erupts with bass drum triplets and hi-hat rides, often followed or preceded by gratuitous blasting. Downbeats are few and far between on this record, eliminating the whimsical "good time" kind of sound bands like Carpathian Forest or Megiddo have. When they slow down to make a point, it seems the guitars speak more than any other instrument. In most cases, you'll find here the same kind of twisted dissonance and off-kilter riffage you would find on say... Immolation's 'Dawn Of Possession'. Two guitars are a welcome addition to any Black metal band, where I'm concerned. Enthroned proved with their last record just how absolutely effective a twin guitar approach can be.

Altogether, Merrimack's best work to date. It contains all the factors that make great Black Metal albums in spades, with a top notch, but not too clean mix. 'Of Entropy And Life Denial' plays well either when taken as a whole, or when individual songs are selected. But I would highly recommend absorbing this one in whole, alone, in the dark.

June 27th, 2006