NECRONOMICON
The Final Chapter
(El Puerto Records)
46:03min

NECRONOMICON has been known as one of Germany’s most revered Thrash acts since the early eighties. With nine studio albums under their belts and appearances all over the world in the past three decades, they prove that they have always kept their hunger. But possibly, like the persuasive yet accursed “Book Of The Dead” itself, which always provokes myth and mystery about its existence, the band also has always been inside a cavern out of common sight (adding a curse of long running legal dispute with a record label), but never waned from their path. Their self-titled debut album from 1984, is by many fans still regarded as one the greatest German Thrash Metal records in history and unlike many other 80s Thrash bands with the history of one great record and then disappear, NECRONOMICON remained active and outstandingly productive throughout, against all the odds. Their survival, itself a matter of legend and Volker “Freddy” Fredrich, who was the founding guitarist / vocalist, is now the only original member remaining. It is their tenth full-length and the first time that the band features an international line-up with Canadian drummer Rik Charron (ex – EXCITER) and American solo-guitarist Glen Shannon, who played with members of FATES WARNING, PENTAGRAM and others. What the now internationally positioned guys from NECRONOMICON are doing here, on their tenth long-turn, is simply and poignantly strong Thrash Metal. “The Final Chapter” hopefully means not to be the last chapter of the “Book Of The Dead”, but may simply be intended to open a new, two and a half years after “Unleashed Bastards” and six after “Pathfinder… Between Heaven And Hell”. But, with an international line-up now, did NECRONOMICON try to reinvent their wheel? Not really, as the poisonous, pointed vocals of front-man Freddy, the rather fat up-tempo passages, in which the double bass is comfortably kicked through, as well as the cold-skinned groove (with the ultimate crunch legacy of Volker “Freddy” Fredrich) in almost all pieces, provide for 46 minutes to think of. A few songs in mid tempo are also part of the attack from time to time as ‘Spilling Blood’, the rhythmic ‘Pain’ or the catchy Thrash rocker ‘The Unnamed’, can send high-beats to the hearts of any Metaller. In addition, Mr. Achim Köhler, who also had his fingers in the game with BRAINSTORM and SINNER, ensures a present-day old school sound, which can actually divide opinions. The production sounds rather clinical and devoid of any warmth. On the other hand, any listener can say, these patterns of compositions deserved a suitably fat sound package. However, it seems NECRONOMICON actually went for a production in the middle, that can emphasize the spirit, energy and brutality of ‘Burning The Fury’, ‘World On Fire’, ‘Selling Nightmares’, ‘The Stormreaper’ and the whole 46 minutes running time. No doubt, despite facing terrible personal losses and an ever flowing stream of uncertainty, mastermind Volker “Freddy” Fredrich wolfing aloud that NECRONOMICON still has a few chapters free in their own book… and delivered “The Final Chapter” – a tasteful and spiteful Thrash Metal demolition par excellence. KREATOR, DESTRUCTION and SODOM. Yes, all three are German Thrash Metal legends. So is NECRONOMICON. Open the final chapter and rejoice their legacy. Find out more about the band and release here: www.facebook.com/necronomiconofficial, www.facebook.com/elpuertorecords.

Randolph Whateley

Randolph Whateley

Related reviews / interviews:
NECRONOMICON - Constant To Death (Randolph Whateley)
NECRONOMICON - Revenge Of The Beast (Matthias Auch)
NECRONOMICON - Pharaoh Of Gods (Sigtyr)

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