Review
With a lineup that consists of two current members of Throneum, vulgar cover art that appears to be taken from the portfolio of a wanton predator, lyrical themes that cover sodomy and death, and according to the promo: “vile old school darkness that is tailor made for devotees of Hellhammer, Sodom and Bathory”; this release seemed destined for a special place in my blackened substance. In addition to the aforementioned details, the release comes under the wing of Deathgasm Records, which has had a recent series of strong releases (eg Nocturnal Torment’s They Come At Night and King’s Forged By Satan’s Doctrine). There was little doubt in my mind that this would be a pleasure to review, especially with regard to the Throneum pedigree; a band with whom my familiarity has bred nothing but amplifier stacks of admiration.
Having stated all this, Vulgar Darkness is unfortunately a disappointment. The sound and atmosphere are there but, the release is devoid of anything that is remotely interesting musically.
I didn’t count the riffs; however, I am sure that no more than a handful were used to produce this mundane piece of work. The first two tracks sound remarkably alike to me, aside from the occasional segue on the second track into a riff structure that, either intentionally or not, pays homage to a certain seminal composition regarding a man of ferrous composition. The dullard of a doom piece “Rusted and Demonized” follows this unimpressive beginning. It should have been cut to half its six minute length or left off the release entirely.
The next three tracks amble along capably but without distinction before the insipidness ends with the title track. Another doom offering, it is the most memorable track for me. This is only because it didn’t bore me like “Rusted and Demonized” and sounded significantly different than the other five songs.
I believe comparing this dreary release to anything from the vaunted catalog of either Sodom or Bathory is a stretch. At best, this duo (Tom the Bomber and Uncle Morbid) sounds like a limp Venom or Hellhammer.
The musical ideas are stretched too thinly over the 28 minutes of Vulgar Darkness, and the ideas that are present, are not memorable. The derivative nature of the music only adds to the tedium. It is fine to follow in someone’s footsteps, but Morbid Execution have their heads planted so firmly in Hellhammer’s musical backside that they can’t see to come up with anything that sounds original. There is also a blatant lack of savagery in their playing that is evident when compared to the bands they have been lumped together with.
Morbidly executed, Vulgar Darkness will appeal to only the most devout of Venom and Hellhammer fans who rue the day Hellhammer evolved into Celtic Frost and Venom attempted progress with At War With Satan.
I will stick with Throneum, so should this duo.
-Dave
Artist: Morbid Execution
Album: Vulgar Darkness
Label: Deathgasm Records
Release Date: May 22, 2012
Rating: 2/5
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