Hermh - Cold+Blood+Messiah

July 27, 2009

Reviewer: Jesse

Either I haven’t been paying attention lately, or symphonic black metal has really started to die off these days.  What was once tremendously popular has seemed to have fallen to the wayside somewhat, yet Poland’s Hermh is one band still trying to keep that flame burning.  That statement is even more accurate seeing as though they had split up for seven years only to be resurrected by the band’s original singer nearly five years ago now.  Declining popularity or not, Hermh is content on filling the metal coffers with highly aggressive black metal laced with that signature synthetic symphony which gives the genre its trademark sound.  2009 would bring us their fourth release (two EPs and two full-lengths) since reforming in the form of Cold+Blood+Messiah.

Even with Hermh’s own sound on display, a few standards still remain, namely, the extremely clear production which puts emphasis on the symphonics and vocals.  Aside from the occasional lead guitar solo, the guitars are very much in the background and the bass.. what bass?  The drumming is very impressive when examined on its own, but has an incredibly flat sound.  Cymbal crashes as barely audible and the snare blasts are about as thin and lifeless as possible and with this kind of production, it’s almost inexcusable.  The double bass thumping, however, does redeem the drums’ sound on this album to an extent even though they have a very sterile and overly calculated delivery with too much stop-and-go staccato.  None of that is the drummer’s fault in any way.  I’d take him in my band any day.

Now, for what the production is in every way trying to cater to, vocally this album is a stage.  Snarled black metal rasps play off of the huge choral segments where a small choir fills the speakers and gives the slightly formulaic songs some nice personality.  There are even some short segments of solo clean singing which are generally quickly followed by the standard rasps, but are there long enough to give notice.  Along with the pronounced vocal arrangements, the keyboards are given ample room to stretch out and wash over each song in a very non-threatening way, mind you, but still in a way that puts other more effective instruments in the back ground.  This is far from Enthroned Darkness Triumphant-era Dimmu Borgir or Japan’s Tyrant as the symphonics are not quite as overbearing, but there still are no other real defining characteristics to Cold+Blood+Messiah.

I have no problem with symphonic black metal at all, but I just wish that the bands still playing this style would take much more advantage of such a vastly varied instrument the synthesizer is.  If you’re going to use it, then make the songs huge and epic and rewarding to the listener.  Make them remember the songs for hours.  The only aspects to Cold+Blood+Messiah that reverberate in my head afterward are the choir segments.  There are virtually no memorable tracks to be found which is a shame considering what they have at their disposal.  Cold+Blood+Messiah is not a bad or tiresome album as I had no problem in listening to it in its entirety several times while writing this.  It’s just that it doesn’t do itself any favors either and will undoubtedly fall right in line with so many others.

Release Date: November 17, 2008
Label: Regain Records

TRACK LISTING

1.  Hairesis
2.  Instrumentum Diaboli
3.  Eyes of the Blind Lamb
4.  Lord Shall Be Revealed
5.  I Bring You Fear
6.  Sin Is The Law0
7.  Gnosis
8.  Who Can Be Against Us
9.  In My Flesh I See God

Total playing time:  38:49

*By clicking "Submit" you agree to the following Terms of Use. You agree not to post any material that is obscene, slanderous, or threatening, or that may violate any law of your country of origin or the United States or of international law. Should you wish to restrict viewing of your email address by third parties, you must select "Hide My Email." You agree to indemnify and hold harmless Metal Psalter from any claims, actions, suits, damages, or other costs arising out of any breach of these Terms of Use.

*Comments: