November 3, 2010

Reviewer: Peter

Metal music has had its share of noteworthy bands over the years and in recent years, has popped up in some odd places like China (Be Persecuted), Colombia (Inquisition, who currently calls Seattle home), and Thailand (Surrender of Divinity).  France isn’t an odd place, but they do have their share of odd bands, and that is where a band like Malhkebre comes in.  The four man group plays black metal that in many respects, is what the music was about in its early days: raw, cold, and full of hate.  Even though they don’t have any full length albums to their name, they do have an EP and a split album out.  The Prostration EP is the band’s best representation of what their music is like to this point.  However, don’t expect a reincarnation of Mysteriis Dom Sathanas or Anthems to the Welkin at Dusk.

The themes within Malhkebre’s music are varied, as it does cross the line between black and doom metal, with religion (of the Anti-Christianity variety) and suicide being the subjects.  The opening track “Nothingness Way” begins with a minute of what sounds like heavy, guttural breathing before it gets into the usual blast beats and guttural black metal screams.  The next track “Première Louange” is more of the same, just a little faster in its delivery.  “Obscurus Religiosus” begins with two minutes of what sounds like bombs going off and intermittent low guttural growls before the music kicks in.  For the most part, Malhkebre offers nothing new to the black metal table, but that doesn’t mean they don’t play it as well as raw black metal can be played.  The production values are on the low end, which serves its purpose of giving the sound the raw, cold sound.  Vocals can range from unintelligibly angry to somewhat understandably angry.  At 22 minutes, the Prostration EP offers some promise, but it also shows the band’s need to improve in areas such as vocals.  Since this is an EP, one would think that the band would at least experiment with a few sound ideas instead of just going with the standard black metal fare from the early 90’s.

Overall, Malhkebre’s Prostration EP will appeal to some black metal fans who seek something similar to early 90’s black metal.  However, it doesn’t offer anything really new nor does it go outside the safety zone much when it comes to its genre.  EPs are generally about taking risks, and Malhkebre doesn’t do much of that, which is too bad, since there is potential for reward, and there are no rewards without risk.  Malhkebre would be well served to do more with their sound when the opportunities present themselves.

Orig. Release Date: March 9th, 2006
Label: Battlesk’rs Prod. (2006) /
Ahdistuksen Aihio Prod. (2010)

TRACK LISTING

1.   Nothingness Way
2.   Première Louange
3.   Obscurus Religiosus
4.   Fidèles Serviteurs

Total playing time: 22:52

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Malhkebre - Prostration EP