MERRIMACK

Is it too much to ask that a black metal band remain true to their original lethal vision and retain high production values? France's MERRIMACK doesn't think so — they offer up a furious slab of unadulterated, vicious black metal anger on "Of Entropy and Life Denial". And it sounds HUGE, with big, loud, clear guitars, audible bass and plenty of heaviness to match the blasting tempos and flayed vocals.

IMMORTAL and MARDUK fans take note, for these guys are equally adept at bringing that live-band feel to a studio project. Their sense of dynamics is awesome, too, knowing when to pour on the tightly-controlled blast beats and when the song calls for slow, seething malevolence. Apparently, the band used to be more atmospheric in sound, but here they're super-concentrated and utterly punishing, without relying on any one tempo or vibe too much and diluting the overall effect.

You'd be right in assuming that there's nothing new here. But MERRIMACK aren't interested in innovation — their musicality and intensity combined are enough to vault them to the top of the scene, a position they rightfully deserve. If you only check out one song to make up your mind about them, make it "Inseminated" — blistering blasts lead into several slow, brooding parts, all of it pushed to a heart-stopping extreme, and four-and-a-half minutes zip by before you even realize it. Want more proof of their dominance? Check out the frantic melodies in the guitars on "Descension From Life" — insane!

There's not much else to say about MERRIMACK — if you're looking for pure, hateful black metal without keyboards or modern frippery, but with immaculate production, "Of Entropy and Life Denial" will be the standard by which such albums will be measured in the future. An unexpected surprise and a certain contender for the year's Top Ten, both for what it is and what it doesn't try to be. None more black.