• 1
• 2
• 3
• 4
• 5

Over the years I've learned to appreciate, if not outright enjoy, the Black Metal genre. This was not always the case but bands like Immortal, Thulcandra, Melechesh and others have opened my ears. Germany's one-man force of evil, Front Beast, however, is a band whose appeal I cannot fathom. I can get past the low-fi, rough and cluttered sound. That certainly isn't unique among Black Metal bands. I can look past the generic songwriting, as well. And, sometimes, convention is good so the double-kick drums and frenetic guitars are fine, if not revelatory. Where I am hung up is the vocals, which are a nearly unvarying tortured howl. Atmosphere is a big part of Black Metal's appeal and Front Beast's Demon Ways of Sorcery has plenty so, if you enjoy the wails of prisoners of The Inquisition, you'll be pleased. But, for the most part, that's all there is and it gets old pretty quick. When Avenger, who handles all the instruments and vocals, lets loose with some ANGRY rasps, like on "Filling Skulls with Angels Blood," it's a welcome relief. Then we're back into the agonized screams and I want to set myself on fire to make it stop.

The vocals on Demon Ways of Sorcery are painful (which may well be the point) and monotonous and the songwriting is unexciting. I'm sure there is an audience for Front Beast's brand of Black Metal, but it doesn't include me.