Vikings invaded England back in the day, and that's a fact. Maybe Acolyte guys, who hail from Manchester, have some viking blood in their vein. Or then mead. Hard to tell, but on their debut album 'Alta' they doubtlessly owe quite a bit to Norwegian black metal heritage.

Acolyte can be called as a progressive black metal band. Progressive rock influences, that feel like they came from the band's home turf, play rather big role in Acolyte's music, too. When thinking about the savage side of the guitar work, then they are spitting venomous, rusty riffage, or open-stringed glacial storm winds, plus otherworldly tapestries. It's not just about the Norwegian influences, but also about French intensity. Then there are those prog rock moods, that actually are quite a bit mellow at their most mellow, and at times, very calm. And they even get somewhat jazzy at times (e.g. on 'Formidine'). This album contains all three songs from the debuting release, EP 'Leng' (2011). The sound on 'Alta' is far more alive, more threatening.

The pace of the music is fluctuating a lot, tempo changes wise. That is suitable, as the average song length is well above six minutes. The songs are breathing, but feel to stick together well. Pace-wise the music is mainly on the slower side. When the band get to upper gears, it's still not very fast. Maybe a good reference point is latter Immortal albums, and I's debut album. When thinking about I, Acolyte too get pretty rocking whenever suitable. Groove and otherworldly things, dainty, baby, dainty. Just try 'Vultures'. The drummer has more beats in his pockets than many established drummers and bands do. For their whole fucking careers!

Just like the music and the instrument performances here, the vocals too are varying. Croaking, throaty growling is something like Carcass' Jeff Walker could sound like, if he was doing it in more black metal style. Add some "whispering" to that, and voilá, we got these matching, inhuman vocals. And let me tell you, that I bloody hate it, that I cannot find any lyrics for this one, as they got some Lovecraftian tidbits there.

During first few spins, 'Alta' felt like a rather mouthwatering curiosity with many tastes to be found. And that is exactly what it is, but it also leaves a long-lasting aftertaste, which makes its listener to come back for more rumination sessions. Where does that +57 minutes go every time I listen to this album?!?!?! Now I want 'em lyrics to fully revel in the variable abyss of 'Alta'. I wonder if the album's title really refers to a municipality in Norway.

Rating: 8- (out of 10) ratings explained

Reviewed by Lane
05/28/2013 21:17