Thursday, July 26, 2012

CATUVOLCUS: "Gergovia"

Rating: RRR
Label: Deathbound Records 2012
Review by: Urban "Wally" Wallstrom

I almost feel a sleep while listening to the opening few seconds from the concept album, "Gergovia", and woke up screaming along to the mad ramblings of the band's growler. Are you guys familiar with the old saying: when there's no more room in hell, the dead will walk the earth? Sure, it's from a movie (Dawn of the Dead), but that's exactly how you feel after spending all your precious time listening to the demonic vocals of Pierre-Alexandre Plessix and his merry crew. The horror, the horror.

The name Catuvolcus means Battle Wolf in ancient Gaul language and represents a gaul (Gallic) chief of the Eburons tribe (don't ask, read on). In 52 BC, Caesars legions plunder Gaul, casting a shadow over these scorched lands, annihilating any hope of prosperity. Catuvolcus has taken upon the duty to redrawn the lost steps of the roman defeat with nine epic titles inspired by the writings of the past and the present.

Bloody 'ell, their entire album is sung in MoliƩre (google if needed) and it's very much in the tradition of early Samael and at times Bathory. The guitar and bass work is fast, vicious, and frantic, and they're ceratinly a talanted bunch of musicians. But the growls of Plessix gets a bit weary in the long run and there really should be more clean vocals to keep the listener in constant owe. Indeed, the heritage of black metal pioneers casts a shadow over this vicious piece of handiwork, and it's perhaps mostly suited for the old skool fan.
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