The second full length from Zorn, who play "terror black metal", has arrived. The concept of this album is misanthropy and total destruction of the Christian morals. I quess all lyrics are in German, as the throat-ripping, distorted and spitting voice very much unintelligible for my ears. No lyrics are included with this promotional copy, so I do not know the band's political stance (the song title 'Kristallnacht' raises this question)...

Zorn keep it pure to the roots and this sounds very much like early 1990s Norwegian acts. I personally do not find anything original on 'Menschenfeind' anyways. This has been done before. For Zorn's credit, they are rabid. They are spreading aural terror with this, that's for sure. The songs vary from droning and repeating ones to songs including more majestic melody workings, but nothing surely offers anything nice or beautiful, of course. Cold twin guitar melodies the band are offering do not always transmit their coldness like the originators of the style were able to submit. Similar pace throughout the album doesn't help; it's blast beat over mid-paced double kick drum driven stuff. There is not enough happening for my tastes. In all, this sounds old, in both negative and positive meanings of the word.

There is no synthesizer utilized, which is always a plus. The album was recorded live and left without any mastering. The balancing between the instruments is fucked up and sadly kick drums are buried under noise, way too deep. However, every instrument and vocals are still audible, but earsets are required to hearing them all.

I personally haven't found much of interest in this whole style of rather droning black metal, except for some exceptional bands, and Zorn aren't one of them. However, those who want their black metal true to its roots may want to check Zorn out. Fuck, now what do I remember about this record now, after listening to it..?

Rating: 5 (out of 10) ratings explained

Reviewed by Lane
10/08/2003 15:35