We’re back to our bread and butter—Black Metal from the pits of (oh surprise!) Norway. We also have something of a super band, because Ulvehunger is made up of members from Satyricon, Disgusting, and Cadaver, just to name a few. However, I must say it’s been decades since I’ve fully enjoyed an album from any of these bands. Don’t throw hate at me; taste is like a butt: split. Despite this, I had no negative preconceptions about Retaliation. If anything, I want all bands to do well and be successful (see? It’s not so bad). Let’s find out if we can jump into this.
Retaliation is exactly what you’d expect from a Black Metal album that is doing everything in its power to sound evil. No, not all bands in the genre are interested in that, but if there’s something Satyricon always stood out for, it was trying so hard to be evil that it became humorous. However, Ulvehunger finds a better balance between evil and a more decadent aesthetic. It’s foggy and dense like a swamp in the middle of the night; it’s like getting lost in the Jæren Wetlands, but in November (so, forget about all those beautiful pictures on Google Images).
Fortunately, the thing I like most about Retaliation is the vocals. I know many kvlt people have an issue when the shrieking attempts to sound so malevolent, but personally, it pierces my eardrums less, so I dig it. There’s a lot of tremolo picking and bashing, as you would expect from these minds, but there are moments that make me think Ulvehunger has been listening to some Post-Black stuff. “The Covenant of Pestilence” is an awesome track! It encapsulates a diverse range of bleak and oppressive feelings. However, that last track reminded me of what made me sigh too.
Retaliation sometimes feels like a one-way, one-speed Black Metal train that rarely stops. Sure, when it does, it’s painful in the right way, but I just wish we could get more moments to enjoy the soul-crushing melodies instead of just unrelenting battery. Sometimes I had to return between tracks because I didn’t notice when they began or ended. Maybe that’s a positive for you, and it could be under the right conditions, but there’s enough talent here to expect something more. This thing is the blackest flag you can find (how are there different types of black? That’s impossible!).
Metalheads that love their Black Metal to just ram through their souls with sheer bleakness and anger will be pleased with Retaliation. Those of us who have already got used to Black Metal being almost a cathartic moment of our lives, might find it less attractive. It’ll depend a lot of on how old school you are, but in my case, I see myself going back to specific tracks in this album more than all of it. Before you get mad, just remember, you probably do the same even with the albums you claim you love. Whoever is free of this sin shall cast the first stone.
Label: Darkness Shall Rise Productions
Release date: 14 July, 2024
Website: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100089656459184
Country: Norway
Score: An evil black flag, or 3.0/5.0, because why not?
Metal Eclipse Reviews 