Impiety - Worshippers of the Seventh Tyranny

Singapore legends Impiety are never going to be accused of being stagnant or lazy, that’s for certain. The latest release Worshippers of the Seventh Tyranny is a nearly 40-minute track of war-inspired metal that you might anticipate would get boring after about ten minutes, but let me assure you of this: if your mind is set exactly right and you are just cleansed of all peripheral distractions and devices, you will enjoy the living hell out of this effort!

Admittedly, I’m a big fan of Impiety, especially after hearing the 2004 Paramount Evil effort. So when I was informed that the latest release was one long track I immediately thought back to a dark day in 1984 when a certain black metal band from Newcastle thought to put out a 20-minute-plus song as a sort of conceptual Armageddon battle - ugh, the horror of remembering those days! Well, I’ve since learned to venture into things as open-minded as possible, and Impiety did everything right! Rather than drone into a stream of horrid subconscious in some vain attempt at seductive, inspirational meanderings, Impiety simply breaks up the pace throughout by literally taking you through the battle, its highs and lows, lulls and flourishes, as if you are truly a part of some impetuous skirmish that they masterfully engineered. There are some very fluid moments throughout this track that are nothing short of caustic, yet so incredibly brilliant. I am literally champing at the bit for the vinyl to be released next year. 

Impiety is one of the bands from this second wave of black/thrash metal that has really not put out a bad effort, which is both surprising and illuminating. With the latest release the band attempts to solidify its reputation by conceptualizing an arduous fight, further cementing the band’s feet in the world of thrashing black metal because, try as you might, you won’t find many bands at this caliber. As a piece, Worshippers capitalizes on the cerebral aspects of metal music and forces the listener to engage the music on the band’s terms, on the band’s level, not rescinding one bit in either quality or style. Where most bands find that a lightening of persona or concept is the best way to tackle such an epicurean feat, Impiety retains all of its dignity and just plows effortlessly through one plateau after another, denying and defying convention throughout and making the track interesting and visually encompassing.

Some obvious comparisons to Celtic Frost and Hellhammer aside, Impiety casually reminds us that heavy metal is fun, selective music for only a chosen few, but thinking outside the box and challenging the thought process makes for a conversation piece the likes of which we simply don’t see much of anymore. I’m glad this trio is still around and offering music of such distinct variation and design.      

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*Comments:

December 12, 2010

Reviewer: Chris

Release Date: February 15, 2011
Label: Agonia Records

TRACK LISTING

1.  Worshippers of the
     Seventh Tyranny

Total playing time:  38:30