Pest - The Crowning Horror (2013)

Though the Swedish Pest has always clung to the roots aesthetics of the black metal genre, rarely sounding as if they had stepped out of the early 90s to take a look around at what's happening lately, their latest opus The Crowning Horror goes one further, conjuring an evil and primal innocence through their songwriting that just as well might have arrived 20-25 years ago. If you muddied up the production a bit more, this record might have appeared in 1987 and been worshiped these years as an obscure, unearthed 'first wave' gem. When done properly, like on a few of Vultyr's records or that excellent Head of the Demon debut last year (also from Sweden), I am an absolute sucker for this style, and through its simplicity comes its novelty. A 'past' that never was, manifest into the present climate. The Crowning Horror isn't as doom-driven or atmospheric as the Head of the Demon album, or as abusive as past Pest efforts like Rest in Morbid Darkness or In Total Contempt, it shows a lot of class...

Part of this is achieved through the primarily traditional/purist heavy-metal composition of the riffs, with chord patterns redolent of the dirtier British and German heavy metal of the early 90s more so than the rampant tremolo picked riffing, Celtic Frost/Darkthrone grooves and dissonance we associate with the 'second wave' style. Throw a higher pitched vocalist on The Crowning Horror, especially on a mid-paced piece like "Devil's Mark" or the Sabbath-ian step of "The Abomination of the God", and you'd not even blink twice as dubbing this an entirely different genre. But once the harsh barks (similar to Nocturno Culto or Aura Noir) are delivered, it helps maintain that this is really a hybrid effort, with its feet in one style and its head up another. Add to that the simpler drumming, the perfectly honed level of distortion on the guitars (not too much drive or hiss, but plenty of power), and the fluid punch of the bass lines and you've got yourself a generation-defying album sure to appeal to all the fans of nostalgic happenings, vest metal, etc. Unlike Darkthrone's latest, The Underground Resistance, however, Pest is playing it completely straight, without any of the cheesy attempts at parody vocals and ironic lyricism.

Granted, there are a few points here where Pest slip back into their prior skins, like "Holocaust" or "Demon" where they dial up the pace for some primitive but still atmospheric, familiar black metal riffing and modest blast-like beats, but I think this only further strengthens the record since it evokes a greater variety and reveals that the Swedes aren't just buying solely into the 'retro' thing or shifting perspectives entirely from their prior works (they've always happily waved the old school flag). The leads and melodies exhibit a lot of flashy but controlled techniques and help to round out the rust-flecked rhythms, and they come up with some genuinely killer riff progressions like those in "The Crowning Horror" itself which honor the traditions of speed, thrash, heavy, doom and archaic black metal simultaneously. It's not incredibly original in terms of the music or subject matter, and not all the tunes stick with the same adhesive properties, but all in all I had a blast listening through this, and tracks like "Volcanic Eyes" and "Devil's Mark" will easily find an audience within the cult heavy/extreme metal niches, whether you enjoy Darkthrone, Mortuary Drape, Aura Noir, Venom, Bulldozer, Sarke or even more obscure, evil 80s emissions like Exorcist's Nightmare Theatre or None Shall Defy from Canada's Infernal Majesty.

Crack open a beer, chain up a 'virgin' for some after hours 'role play', smoke up some incense from a fake (or real) skull, and put some Italian cult horror on in the background for good measure. Then hit 'play' and try NOT to smile. And if you don't, well, then you've probably got other problems to attend to.

Verdict: Win [8.5/10]

http://www.pest.se/

Pest - Rest in Morbid Darkness (2008)

Sweden's most primal and evil black metal band returns for its third album of menacing misanthropy, and with the exception of some of their earlier EPs, it's their best material to date.

Rest in Morbid Darkness is very true to its blackened thrashing roots, you will hear a lot of Celtic Frost and Bathory used to the ultimate advantage. "Possessed by the Beast" is a rager, I particularly enjoy the post-chorus where the melodic speed metal leads break out. "Nights in the Cursed Chapel" is a creepier track which really evokes a nostalgic feeling few bands are capable of (Mortuary Drape, Sabbat and Negative Plane are a few who come to mind). "Blessed by Hellfire" is moored in excellent distorted bass, driving beats and simple yet effective melodies. True proto black metal indeed. "Bestial Crucifixion" is my favorite here, a melodic and kickass anthem to Satan. "Vomit Up the Blood of Jesus" and "Shadows of the Dead" also rock.

The real beauty of this album is it belongs in another time and place. Sure it's 2008, but the tone and songwriting places it back in 1990, when black metal was just taking shape from its influences like Celtic Frost, Mercyful Fate, Bathory, Kreator, etc. There is no bullshit here. No fairy metal vocals, no symphonic elements, no trends. Even the production reflects this, it just sounds old. A truly cult record from a band who has always kept it real, and a diabolic pleasure to listen to.

Verdict: Win [8/10]

http://www.pest.se/

Pest - Blasphemy is My Throne EP (2002)

Considered the first 'official' release of this excellent Swedish band after a trio of demos in the late 90s, Blasphemy in My Throne is an EP representing the perfection of form across six tracks.

First, it should be noted that the 'Studio Helltower' production on the EP is fantastic, and if that's a real studio I will pee myself with glee. The songs sound incredible, grim yet bright, the perfect vehicle for the vile guitars and vocals of Necro.

All of these songs are highlights. The title tracks opens us up with its mid, plodding pace. "Along the Path of the Fallen" is an excellent, mid-paced barrage which channels early Emperor and Blood Fire Death era Bathory. "Towards Desolation" starts off faster, but then once again morphs into that perfectly evil, slower pace as Necro's vocals start to spit their vitriol. Amazing song. You won't survive that, but even if you did, you'd have three more. "Circle of Damnations Five" is another scorcher which picks up with a nice little thrashy bridge and then a diabolical blast beat. Compared to these, the last two tracks don't sound quite as 'bright', yet they are every bit as good. "When Darkness is Complete" and "Thorns from Underneath" possess a more somber, melancholic nature, but round off the EP nicely.

I'd argue that this remains the best of the Swedish Pest, though I really enjoyed their demos and the recent Rest in Morbid Darkness album. Blasphemy in My Throne is an essential listen for any fan of the grim and necro, the fact that it sounds so amazing is just icing on the cake.

Verdict: Epic Win [9/10]

http://www.pest.se/