Anaal Nathrakh - 'In The Constellation Of The Black Widow'

The British extreme metal band Anaal Nathrakh have signed with Candlelight Records for the release of their fifth full-length. True believers are already well aware of the band, but now should get even more exposure to U.S. fans. In The Constellation Of The Black Widow is a powerful and diverse album that mixes elements of black, death, industrial and grindcore.

After a brief intro, the opening track “In The Constellation Of The Black Widow” launches like a punch to the gut, vaulting out of the gate at lightning speed with frenetic drums and a wall of extremity. Throat ripping screams and growls are tempered by brief melodic vocals. The melodic vocals get more of a showcase on songs like “More Of Fire Than Blood,” which has plenty of intensity, but also eases up from time to time.

“Terror In The Mind Of God” blends majestic black metal atmosphere with misanthropic guitars and a surprisingly catchy melody while “The Lucifer Effect” has some downright groovy moments amongst the brutality. The closing track “Blood Eagles Carved On The Back Of Innocents” brings things to a crushing close with distorted vocals and nonstop blast beats.

In The Constellation Of The Black Widow is a really well-constructed album. Anaal Nathrakh writes memorable songs that are sometimes oppressive and suffocating, sometimes cold and majestic, sometimes melodic, but always interesting. V.I.T.R.I.O.L. (Dave Hunt) does a really good job with the vocals, showcasing everything from evil rasps to piercing shrieks to ominous growls to melodic singing. It’s an extreme metal tour de force.

(released July 14, 2009 on Candlelight Records)