The Metal Mind label is nothing if not prolific, digging out stuff from the not too distant past that maybe didn't get a fair shake first time round. Then they give it the MM Reissue Treatment.

First up, Susperia, with 'Predominance / Vindication'. In this case they've married the band's first and second releases together into one lavish, double CD, gatefold digipack, with five bonus tracks over the 2 discs.

Founded by ex Dimmu Borgir man, Tjodalf (clearly a Dario Argento fan), Susperia was courted by many labels when they shopped the debut album. Arguably, they ended up at their natural home, Nuclear Blast. But to be honest, 'Predominance' is something of a disappointment. Yes, it does exactly what it says on the black metal tin . . . it's driven by flesh ripping riffs, brutal rhythms and the usual mix of clean and growling vocal extremes. It's loud, it's noisy. It's aggressive, it's combative. But it lacks freshness, originality.

Vocalist, Althea has come under some criticism, but the problem here is the production. His vocals often sound detached from everything else, neutering songs like the solid, well structured, 'I Am Pain' and 'Objects Of Desire'.

This could easily have undermined the whole recording. But, elsewhere, tuneful axework and rushing riffs redeem the album's better tracks, 'Vainglory', 'Of Hate We Breed' and 'Hellchild'. Close forensic examination would show up trace elements of bands like Pantera and Slayer, giving us frustratingly short glimpses of the shape of things to come.
But it would be 'Vindication' before these grew and formed into a full blown, fully formed sound.
At the least, it showed a band with musicianship and direction.

(5.5/10)
 

'Vindication' (2002) saw the band hitting their impressive stride.
They were clearly competing with the genre's big hitters now.
The primary differences were these: (much) stronger melodies and an ability to thread aspects of subgenres like Gothic and Thrash metal through the fabric of their own Death metal variant.

The result is a distinctive sound, best exemplified in overwhelmingly powerful recordings like 'Anguished Scream' and 'Petrified', so good we get them twice, the second in the form of bonus live tracks.
Production and mixing too have improved, integrating Althea's vocals into the band sound - his throaty roar lifts good songs like 'Cage Of Remembrance' and 'Bitter Man', now complimenting a battery of harsh, jagged rhythms and razoring guitars.
A fine follow up, worthy of investigation.

(7/10)

 
For fans of quality black metal with its own ID, this Susperia double CD  package is great value as well as a safe bet.


Written by Brian
Friday, October 23, 2009
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Ratings

Brian: 7/10

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