Gargling Vocals & Nauseous Tempos
abyssmagazine@sapo.pt | 01/24/2003
(3 out of 5 stars)
"I haven't heard last years "Masterpiss of Pain", but by many people it was acclaimed a fair decent record with many good songs. "Phantom" therefore, is my first approach to what Khold are delivering via Moonfog Productions, which to be honest, slightly shacked my expectations since I was presuming something less laid back or even drunken sounding, but it seems this particular slacken pace and filthy sonority is in fact Khold's own trademark. The slow mid-tempo arrangements and the vile gargling vocals are sometimes keen to some Darkthrone pieces on "Plaguewielder", I hate comparisons with other bands but it is inevitable not to detect some Darkthrone sick influences here. Track number 5, "Fra Grav til Mørke (From Grave to Gloom)" has however a more emphasised grim & northern pace, which in relation with the complete piece is sort of refreshing.
"Phantom" is an album replete with groovy moods, and accompanied by an audible bass, the cold/raw riffs and even the not-so-clear production, are of course very evident elements in this Norwegian band which although walking on muddy roads interesting to many Black Metal listeners does not bring anything brightly new or craving for attention. Khold just seem to be here in order to dispose necrotic feelings and dense textured guitar melodies which combined with the rest of the instruments ends up in being a quite consistent ball of organic variations, calculated moods and beating grooves.
The more I listen to this, the more I think these guys are either very drunk individuals or just quite nostalgic and into fuzzing around with doom & cold arrangements. The feeling I get from this music is of a great amount of hatred and raw dispositions being spitted out in a slow, almost nauseous manner, but which despite of it all is still very much melodic and stripped out to the bone, using only guitars, bass and drums as a set to a very primitive, even minimalist, old-school sound.
Nuno M...."
Track Listings (9) - Disc #1