ANAAL NATHRAKH – Passion
- Posted on 09-08-2011
"Passion" is the sixth full length album from Anaal Nathrakh. V.I.T.R.I.O.L. and Mick Kenney has since the inception of the band in 1999, been in their own division when it comes to extreme metal. Some bands have tried to approach them, but this is and will be Anaal Nathrakh’s territory. They are famous for making each new release a little more extreme than the previous album was, and at the same time get at least one new vocal version. But in recent years V.I.T.R.I.O.L. have used more and more clean vocals and often in a slightly more melodic setting than what we are used to from these guys. This is something I don’t like as much, since I prefer the the rawer version of Anaal Nathrakh. But it is, on occasion, raw here as well, as it should be when it comes to Anaal Nathrakh. For instance, the sick vocals on "Tod Huete Uebel" is really totally ridiculous raw, but this is Anaal Nathrakh and then it is allowed. The song has become one of the biggest highlights of "Passion." I am writing the biggest highlights, for there is without doubt many highlights on this album. Some are naturally larger than others and "Tod Huete Uebel" is one of the largest. The short "Post Traumatic Stress Euphoria" also belongs in that category.
There is one thing you notice about Anaal Nathrakh to date, and that is that the variety of their songs are getting more prominent. Everything is still in the best Anaal Nathrakh spirit and there is no doubt who is playing. They have their own sound they cling to, even if they move into new territories. And moving into new territories is something they do all the time. As a big tank they crush all opposition and occupy new areas. One can almost say that the Anaal Nathrakh universe just gets bigger and bigger.
There are no weak songs on "Passion". They are all very well and this makes "Passion" the best-performed album from Anaal Nathrakh so far. Whether it is the best…, I’m still a little unsure of. For me, "The Codex Necro" is still the best. But "Passion" is not far away. Can they make it the next time?