OKKULTOKRATI - Raspberry Dawn
Most bands that try to do a lot of things at once end up failing, mostly because of poor execution. A given act will typically start strong, then cash in those chips in the name of diversifying or expanding their sound to roundly diminished returns. Yet when done with proper planning (to say nothing of solid musical chops) the right band can find the right balance and pull the whole thing off. So it is with Okkultokrati and their new album, Raspberry Dawn. Boasting a solid track record of sludgy black metal dating back to No Light For Mass in 2010, the Oslo crew started incorporating post-punk and death rock elements on previous releases Snakereigns and Night Jerks, with guitarist Pal Bredrup adding synthesizers to flesh out the tones. Raspberry Dawn sees the addition of full-time keyboardist Feffe Severin, which creates a fuller sound for the band to work with. Opener "World Peace" sets the Darkthrone-via-Joy Division pace immediately, demonstrating how the cold, sparse production in second-wave black metal isn't too different from Bauhaus and early Skinny Puppy.
"Suspension" continues the heavy post-punk affinity, slowing down to a 'Suicide at 33 RPM'-like crawl. "Hard To Please" jacks up the tempo but not the mood, keeping things sufficiently goth while the guitar tone cuts glass and vocalist Black Qvisling (nee Henning Wisth) roars and howls. While there is plenty of suspenseful horror overtones shot through the songwriting, the rough synth static and electrical outbursts give the songs a harsh sci-fi/outer space vibe that further separate it from their newer peers in Pinkish Black and S U R V I V E. Raspberry Dawn is an evocative, satisying listen; as good as Okkultokrati were before, here's hoping they continue down their new path.
Raspberry Dawn comes out Friday, September 23. Pre-orders are available via Southern Lord HERE.
