Rating: 7.0

Country: Poland

Release Date: 2005

Record Label: Old Temple

Track list:
1.Corporation Satan
2.Instant Blasphemy
3.Souldemolition
4.Unleash Hell
5.Unholy Mutilation
6.Burning Crosses
7.Satanik Turbulency of War

Band Website: Pogrom 1147

Pogrom 1147 - Black Metal Complete

Usurper - Vocals  
Graven - Guitar
Aeshtir - Bass 
Ubyr - Drums

Yep, Pogrom 1147 plays raw primitive black metal. They're good at what they do. Of course, in this modern metal world of a million bands all vying for the same small slice of attention, that's not quite enough. In this instance, the solution was to release Black Metal Complete in a DVD-shaped matte-paper sleeve printed with shiny silver ink. While flimsy as hell, this particular gimmick was actually enough to draw my attention to the music within. Unfortunately it's only good, not great.

In 1994, a little Norwegian band called Darkthrone decided to record the most primal, atavistic metal album ever conceived. The result, Transilvanian Hunger, has spawned countless imitators and tributaries, and Pogrom 1147 can be slotted into that category with very little trouble. This album consists almost entirely of linear drum patterns buried under fast tremolo riffs (sometimes dropping drown into half-time and often sounding very punk-inspired) and rasping, distorted vocals which sound almost exactly like Nocturno Culto. There's not much bass presence, but that's expected and quite frankly I'd be more surprised if it was audible.

Of course, after the half-Celtic Frost tribute/half primal black metal Panzerfaust, Darkthrone regressed into a more black n' roll orientated approach, so its not like the inventors themselves are still making albums like this. So the obsolescence of Black Metal Complete is debatable at best, since it's easily one of the more enjoyable efforts in this style I've heard for quite some time. It exudes a certain confidence and swagger which is often lacking from bands who know damn well that they're never going to redirect the well-trodden paths they're traveling on. If this album's still available, don't hesitate in picking it up for a few highly enjoyable grimout sessions. It will probably never make it into your top 50, but it's a highly satisfying listen all the same. Satan approves.

February 25th, 2008