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Akercocke
“Antichrist”
(Earache)

“Antichrist” is supposed to be Akercocke’s most evil and intense album to date and with blast beats of around 280 beats per minute and a sinister Aleister Crowley intro (which had me wondering just what they’d let into my living room) I’d be inclined to agree. With a core sound of furious death metal complete with Jason Mendonca’s growling vocals, “Antichrist” has certainly plenty of oomph to it but what has always made Akercocke special is the gentrified approach they have taken to cultivate these songs in order to make them standout. Not just in terms of lyrics but in incorporating other sounds like electronics, a tribal fusion element on ‘Distant Fires Reflect In The Eyes Of Satan’, an off the wall mix in ‘Man Without Faith Or Trust’ and a surprise acoustic number and closer in ‘Epode’. But what I really like best about Akercocke is their thoroughly British approach in every aspect of themselves and their music, making “Antichrist” not just an imposing musical opus, but a cultural expose - Britain and Satan anyone?

-Shan Siva