TEMPLE OF BAAL
Traitors To Mankind
(Oaken Shield / Adipocere Records)
36:38min

During the last years, I barely took notice of the TEMPLE OF BAAL developments, until I got this record. "Traitors To Mankind" is the band’s second full length, and the promo sheet accompanying the disc reports about a considerable evolution in their musical style, I take that for granted then. This record is a rather pleasant surprise, because on this TEMPLE OF BAAL choose a welcome old school approach to their Black / Thrash mix, and they do this with intelligence and style. TEMPLE OF BAAL have achieved the perfect balance between hateful classic Black Metal (‘Graveyard Of Disgust’, ‘Visions Of Carnage’), dark Thrash reminiscing of the 80s (‘Bleeding Thoughts’) and even primitive Death Metal. Echoes of CELTIC FROST could be heard here and there (especially in vocal lines), adding more interest to TEMPLE OF BAAL’s music. But I don’t want to give you the impression TEMPLE OF BAAL are mere copyists, because all the influence that can be traced here can’t erase the band’s own style and originality, let’s say TEMPLE OF BAAL uses musical citations as homage. Musicwise, the band sounds really tight, with a special mention to the great drumwork of Antares who plays his instrument with creativity and feeling (a not so frequent occurrence these days). Adipocere’s home producer Ludovic Tournier offers the band a clear and powerful sound, a real delight to hear! Add to all this a simple and elegant artwork courtesy of ANTAEUS very own MkM (who wrote the lyrics of one track) and you get a very good disc, not groundbreaking mind you, but surely worth a listen. File this with SUICIDAL WINDS and BESTIAL MOCKERY who perform similar art. Recommended. http://temple.of.baal.free.fr for the usual info.

Edouard Vergriete

Edouard Vergriete

Related reviews / interviews:
TEMPLE OF BAAL - Mysterium (Mirco Szymyslik)
TEMPLE OF BAAL - Lightslaying Rituals (Matthias Auch )

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