Belphegor - Walpurgis Rites - Hexenwahn

November 8, 2009

Reviewer: Kesh

There is a skill and a craftsman-like quality found with many bands in Black Metal that go under-appreciated and many times missed due to the nature of the themes dealt with in the field. Austria’s Belphegor is no different from others such as Darkthrone, Emperor, Marduk and Dark Funeral in this principle, which is one of the hallmarks of an excellent black metal band (in my mind at least). Perhaps it is me, but it seems as though many of the “old school” black metal acts that have been around for a while are taking the aggressive anti-message of their music and redirecting it into a deep-seeded simmering hatred of those things that many in mainstream society hold dearly. Slowing down the pace and making their offering more easily digestible. Again, Belphegor is not an exception to this.

Their latest offering Walpurgis Rights - Hexenwahn is a dark treat to those who enjoy the often times classical sound that many bands lean towards in the strictly musical side of their writing. Belphegor successfully pairs up vocalist Helmuth’s voice with the melodic sounds he performs with bassist Serpenth and guitarist Morluch in what could be described as a near epic blend of guitars, rhythm and jarring growls and vocals. It’s the perfect album to play during your spring ritual bonfire.

The following are what I feel are the best four songs on the album:

“Walpurgis Rites” - Hard, aggressive and in your face. “Walpurgis Rites” starts off like a bucket of cold water being thrown on you, pulling you out of a deep winter’s sleep. A shock to the system. The screams of anguish and torment of Hell at the end of the song help to emphasize where these guys want you to go.

“Veneratio Diaboli - I Am Sin” - Heart-pounding drumbeats continue the onslaught from the previous track. But then, they switch the tempo, gliding into a militaristic march for a few, and then they go back into the infernal attack. “Veneratio Diaboli - I Am Sin” is the first catchy track off the album, and I believe it will be one of the fan favorites in the future.

“Hail the New Flesh” - Beginning with “Hail the New Flesh” and continuing over the next several songs, the tracks on Walpurgis Rights - Hexenwahn step down in their speed, like a staircase heading into the dungeons. Belphegor makes very creative use of the power music holds over the listener’s emotions, and with inserted exclamations of “Fuck you, you fucking slut” in several places throughout the course of the song, exclaim the news of “Hail the New Flesh.”

“Der Geistertrieber” - “Der Geistreiber” a song that is sung in their native language of German, is very industrial and very catchy, and stands out from the other tracks. I would even go as far as saying this song is danceable - you know, swinging your hips and butt in time to the music? It’s not that foreign of a concept to metalheads like me! I can’t decide if it sounds like Rammstein doing black metal or Belphegor doing Industrial. No matter which, I like the result.

2009 seems to be a banner year for black metal, and if you are looking for albums to put on your holiday lists (both to get and receive), I’d suggest that you throw Walpurgis Rights - Hexenwahn onto it. Or you can just cheat and go get it for yourself as a gift. Come on, you know you want to!

Release Date: October 9th, 2009
Label: Nuclear Blast Records

TRACK LISTING

1. Walpurgis Rites
2. Veneratio Diaboli - I Am Sin
3. Hail the New Flesh
4. Reichsweir In Blood
5. The Crosses Made of Bone
6. Der Geistertrieber
7. Destroyer Hekate
8. Enthralled Toxic Sabbath
9. Hexenwahn - Totenkul

Total playing time: 39:23

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