PESTIFEROUS

The cold grey album cover of "Gateway" from Finland's PESTIFEROUS speaks volumes of the pitch-black metal in store for the listener. Few would mistake PESTIFEROUS for one of the genre's great ones, but many should applaud the band's better than average assault, which features more than just DARKTHRONE groove (though, it is there) or constant MARDUK-style blast beating (though it is there as well). On "Gateway", PESTIFEROUS does a commendable job of keeping the proceedings suicidal and nihilistic without becoming a one-trick pony.

The sooty atmosphere is to be expected from this kind of feral output. A handful of gripping riffs, varied arrangements, and a natural drum sound make "Gateway" a pretty darn good listen. A tad like WINTER OF APOKALYPSE without the same flesh flaying intensity, PESTIFEROUS gets the job done in workmanlike fashion. Lots of up-tempo groove parts and even more of those warbly black metal harmonies are found across these eight tracks. "Substance" is one of several examples of the band's habit of switching between mid-tempo groove and faster paced brutality. In this case, an old school thrash riff and speeding tempo turns to mid-paced pummel before heading back to full-throttle mode, yet without reverting to the same riff that began the song. The seven-minute "Genetic Necropolis" wins points for compositional captivation, this time with an emphasis on freezing atmosphere and the effectiveness of airy guitar parts.

As an aside, some may find the vocals to be too loud in the mix, a point that is only an issue if one believes that it detracts from the riffing. As it turned out, I ceased caring after the second spin or so. I doubt it will matter much to anyone else either.

There is a ton of black metal to choose from these days, some good and some not so good. "Gateway" may not be frequenting any year-end Top 10 lists, but it is surely a solid effort and a good bet to please fans of primal, root-based black metal that is smartly played and filled with dread.