(thrash/death metal) Usurper - Necronemesis - 2002, FLAC (image+.cue), lossless

Country of origin:
United States
Location:
Chicago, Illinois
Status:
Split-up
Year of creation:
1993
Genre:
Black/Thrash Metal
Lyrical themes:
Metal Pride, Supernatural, Occult
Last label:
Earache Records

Рецензия на альбом «Necronemesis» Группы USURPER
Чикагские фетишисты меча и кожи USURPER продолжают творить свои темные делишки на радость всех фанатов старой школы металла. Очередное их произведение “Necronemesis”, как и ожидалось, не привнесло в творчество этой группы ничего, хоть сколь-либо инновационного или оригинального. Альбом также нельзя назвать ни вызывающим, ни провокационным. Скорее стоит расценивать его как очередной черепаший шажок USURPER на избранном ими пути четкого следования заскорузлым традициям и устоявшимся и заплесневелым канонам жанра. Удивительно, что не пытаясь создать ничего нового, а вместо этого вчистую снимая стиль CELTIC FROST, эти парни все равно умудряются выделяться на общем фоне американской дэт-сцены. Недаром контора Earache records, являющаяся достаточно крупным и профессиональным лейблом, не погнушалась подписать с ними дьявольский контракт и взять USURPER к себе на иждивение.
Главная особенность группы заключается в их сверхсерьезном подходе к делу, не позволяющем допустить даже малейшего намека на юмор или самоиронию. Хотя весь их пафос и помпезность – не более, чем мишура, это даже детям понятно. В связи с этим постоянные “ужимки и прыжки” участников группы через какое-то время начинают откровенно раздражать. Они и сами понимают, что подобный расклад не приведет их на вершину металлического Олимпа, но с завидным упорством продолжают гнуть свою линию. Музыка USURPER не рассчитана на глубокое понимание, для этого она слишком топорна, примитивна и архаична – незамысловатый коллаж из трэша и дэта образца 80-х годов. Далеко не самый заводящий стиль, вы не находите?
Гостевым участием на “Necronemesis” отметились такие культовые персонажи металлического рока, как маэстро Кинг Даймонд и сэр Проскриптор (ABSU). Глупо утверждать, что их присутствие как-то разнообразит общую атмосферу альбома или добавляет ему некий шарм. Увы, этого нет и в помине. Римейк классического боевика “Tales of the macabre” канадских лесорубов SLAUGHTER тоже не добавляет дополнительных очков в копилку USURPER. Диск обречен встретить понимание лишь у ностальгирующих хэдбенгеров, наглухо зависающих в дремучих 80-х, привыкших трясти хайрами, цепями и яйцами в такт музыки пионеров сталелитейного жанра. А для того, чтобы радость была полной – следует раздобыть экземпляр “Necronemesis” в формате винила, только тогда вы сможете почувствовать свою полную принадлежность вымирающему племени true-металлистов.
Оценка: 3/6
Papa Vader, 30-е Марта 2007
Kind of an off night here at the asylum
Necronemesis, the third full length effort from Chicago's blackest (and I don't mean skin tone) band Usurper, would mark a moderate departure from the sound of their previous work. Where before we had a crushing example of post-Hellhammer, we now have a ball fisted, bludgeoning thrash force which more closely resembles some bastard spawn of Rigor Mortis and early Hallows Eve, with the band's fondness for witchcraft, monsters and dark folklore now in full bloom. You can still hear the Celtic Frost whenever General Diabolical Slaughter belches out a 'Hey!', and perhaps in some of the riffing, but this record pays heed to a far wider scope of thrash, death and black metal influences.
To be honest, I thought it was a step back from Skeletal Season, albeit a small one. The band still had the chops to conjure up their morbid walls of atmospheric, thrashing doom, but the utterly crushing tones of a Diabolosis or Threshold of the Usurper are missing here, replaced by some rather average thrash riffs. Granted, they were never exactly virtuosos, and in fact Necronemesis does have some faster fare here than normal like "Full Metal Maelstrom" or "Slaughterstorm", though the latter reminds me in spots of "Necrocult Part 1" from their 1997 EP. The leads here are far more furious, but the overall tone of the album felt a little dry to me, rather than the ominous killing sprees the band had previously committed.
There are several diamonds in the rough, with a dull shine, one of which would be the morose title track, a slowly building, chugging atmospheric thrash exercise with guest vocals courtesy of none other than the great King Diamond himself. Usurper had covered "Charon", and Mercyful Fate's "Black Funeral" on previous releases, so this was undoubtedly a huge moment for the band, to be graced with their lord and savior. "Warriors of Iron and Rust" is suitably warlike and violent, though the lyrics about metal, leather and alcohol were already feeling a little corny as early as 2000. Thankfully, they are an exception here, as most of the bands lyrics still deal in themes of horror and other cult obscurity. "Full Metal Maelstrom" is a head on blitz featuring guest vocals from Proscriptor of Absu, and "Into the Oblong Box" is a slowly bouncing track that feels like it would have been right at home on Hallow's Eve's Tales of Terror.
A decade later, I admit I've never really had the urge to reach for this on the shelf when better options were available, as in the rest of the band's catalog. Something about Necronemesis screams average, though the band might have great taste in guest vocalists and song titles. At the same time, there is really nothing offensive about it. The riffs just fall a little flat, and the atmosphere not nearly oppressive enough to compensate. I suppose if you were adamant about collecting all of the band's works, you might not find this too far a stretch from Skeletal Season, but in my opinion its a rather dull impression on the skull.
autothrall
Yes!!!
Compared to many of the Celtic Frost inspired "grunt and slide" bands Usurper crunch, maim and doom along like few others can even attempt to match. Intelligent yet thuggish, drunken yet right on time...Usurper are one of the few black metal bands that didn't turn into a former shadow of themselves upon aging. "Necronemesis" may not be the brilliant record that was "..Season" but it's skill very good. As usual, the production is well spaced and accurate (though may favorite drum sound got dumped), the playing is spot on and the vocals are the groaning death-chants I've come to love over the years. Yes children, Usurper came to kill...
Aside from the wonderful King Diamond guested title track the killer tracks on this CD include the clean-vocal (?!) attack of "The Incubus Breed", the great "Deathwish" and the death-groan of "Funeral Waters". Nothing on this CD sucks...at all. Usurper keep their crown as the most consistent and wonderful of black metal bands and this rides the winds of hell to remain at a "cult" status that is far too small for these blokes. The only misstep is a certain lack of "mood" compared to the other CD's but this is a minor quibble. The performance and writing are wonderful.
Usurper have done it again...and again. Consistent, deadly, violent and better than Celtic Frost post-Morbid Tales the band has outdone their heroes 100%. I love this CD almost as much as I love the early ones, and all fans of black, doom or death should also check out this coffin-creak of a release.
BUY OR DIE!!!
- Snxke, July 11th, 2004

Rick Scythe - Guitars
General Diabolical Slaughter - Vocals
Jon Necromancer - Bass
Dave Hellstorm - Drums