Craven Idol –
Towards Eschaton (2013)
Dark Descent
Records
Review by
Jude Felton
There will
always be albums that I look forward to from specific bands, but it is rare
that I’ll be excited purely because of the label itself. Dark Descent is one of
a few that prove the exception to this rule. I’ve had the pleasure of listening
to the last few releases, all of which have been truly excellent, so I had
really been anticipating this album from the UK’s Craven Idol. In fact I was
hoping to review it a few weeks ago, but something happened with the promo
copy. Good things come to those that wait though, and never have those words
wrought more truth than right now.
I could just
tell you to buy Towards Eschaton, but why should you? I’ll tell you why, it’s
because it fucking superb. The raw energy and unbridled spite here is a joy to
behold, as Craven Idol rip through the 8 tracks here. Listening to Towards
Eschaton you can feel the pressure building up as the razor sharp riffs set out
on a mission to carve up your very soul. This is an evil and cleansing
listening experience.
If I were to
give you a point of reference to what Craven Idol sound like, it would be
Craven Idol. They have delivered a distinctive sound of their own, yet there
are influences here to be heard. Maiden, Kreator, Possessed, Bathory and Cradle
of Filth all seem to have had a part in molding Idol’s aural assault, but never
to the detriment of retaining their own sound.
Production-wise,
Towards Eschaton sounds just fantastic; there’s an earthy primitive feel to the
entire album, yet all elements of the music have been given plenty of room to
breathe. It treads the fine line between over-produced and under-produced and,
as I mentioned, sounds great.
Dark Descent
has once again delivered an absolute barnstormer of a release. Craven Idol
blend Thrash, death and black metal, and have unleashed a pure monster that
gets better with each listen. Towards Eschaton is already one of my favorite
albums of the year, and I am sure it will feature prominently when I deliver my
end of year lists in a few months’ time. This is why you should buy the album.
Tracklist:
1. To Summon Mayrion
2. Sworn Upon the Styx
3. Golgotha Wounds
4. Craven Atonement
5. Codex of Seven Dooms
6. Aura of Undeath
7. Left to Die
8. Orgies
Towards Eschaton is released by Dark Descent Records on October 15th.
No comments:
Post a Comment