Search - Various Artists :: Absolute Supper

Sounds like Hell (literally)

Scott Sweet | Colorado Springs, CO | 01/30/2002

(4 out of 5 stars)

"I like dark music, but "The Absolute Supper" is as black as its packaging. The liner notes confirm that some of these songs are satanic; they pretty much all sound like it. These artists probably sneer at "goth" and return to whatever blood ritual they're performing. (I know some of it's just an image - but some of it isn't.) This CMI sampler showcases the "cold"ness that Nordic artists can bring to their songs. The best we've done in the U.S. is Swans.The style moves from death-ambient to neo-martial to medieval folk. Sanctum's "[-]" is a relief from the heaviness, with a Switchblade Symphony style. Other tracks set you adrift in a cavern of shapeless noises, and you have to find your own way out. Hazard's "Who Blew Out The Northern Lights?" sounds like the song you might hear the minute after shooting yourself in the head.One thing the ambient, hypnotic tracks have in common: you think you're getting bored, then you realize six minutes went by and you've hardly moved.Disc 2 kicks off with an ambient noise assault (Brighter Death Now's "I Wish I Was A Litlle Girl"). Skip this and save yourself 9:37. The next track has a LITTLE more shape to it. MZ412's ritual piece "N.B.S. act I -Begravning" is a reminder that some of these bands have declared their...allegiance. The next several songs are in much the same vein. ... The last song actually betrays a sense of humor (cheesy organ, old movie sample, goofy lyrics) more suited to a Rob Zombie release than this sampler."The Absolute Supper" is a great buy if you're into the styles mentioned above. If you're new to it, wait until about noon to play it the first time. If you play it in your car while driving at night, you'll feel a cold hand on your shoulder, moving towards your neck. Drive safely."