Full Length
1. Multidimensional Prism of Black Hatred
2. 24-Cell (Octoplex)
3. ...Rise No More
4. 120-Cell (Hyperdodecahedron)
5. Nuclearhammer
6. 600-Cell (Hexacosichoron)
7. Phosphorous Clouds Descend on Mecca
8. H3po4 (Orthophosphoric Acid)
9. Parasitic (Temple of Rats)/Hpo3 (Metaphosphoric Acid)
10. Subhumannihilation
11. 12th Dimension
12. The Seeds of Martyrdom Remain Bitter Until the Dawn of Reverted Curses
13. Cosmic Atomic Hypnosis
Total Runtime: 44:26
Very few bands have ever come close to the intensity of music and negativity that Blasphemy, Archgoat, and other violent black metal bands of old have achieved. Often, I feel as if many bands attempt cheap rip-offs through copycat imagery and fuzzed out production. Sorry to say, but black metal is getting old. It was a hip new thing in the 90's, but since has outgrown it's roots and derailed into all manners of black metal blasphemy (the irony, eh?). I mean, come on, look at fuckin' Liturgy. Oh boy do they ever suck. Not only that, but in having a band whose whole mission statement is to be a band that proves that black metal isn't just hatred and Anti-Christianity, they are unconsciously perpetuating the status quo; people will realize how thin and drab their music is, and then turn on something more traditional.
This may not seem relevant, but I mention all this to a very good point. Black metal has grown old, and thus it needs new blood to keep fresh. Innovation is key; not just leading the train, but laying the tracks as well. I believe Nuclearhammer are laying the tracks for an all new, original style of black metal in this, their newest release, titled: "Serpentine Hermetic Lucifer". The album was released in Spring of 2014, without much of a fuss being raised about it altogether. Thankfully, I was able to get a digital copy and listen to this gem of a record, and now I can tell you without a doubt in my mind: this is the next innovation.
Up until now, Nuclearhammer has been a band that has played music very similar to Blasphemy. After all, they did label themselves "war metal" (a label I never much cared for among any bands, but regardless), and so for the albums previous to this, their sound has been more-or-less consistent: beating, rapid drums; screeching tremolo downtuned guitars; reverbed, eerie vocals. This record provides all that, and new musical insights. It deals with themes of cosmic evil, and evokes imagery of an all consuming poison gas, swallowing entire planets, beyond human comprehension.
The beginning of the record starts off explosively, with "Multidimensional Prism of Black Hatred" blasting in, and guitars high in the mix. The guitars fuzz on and keep ones senses intrigued as they try to make out intelligible riffing. It's all madness and chaos, and the fact that it's done with such eloquently thought out overlays makes it better. As the record progresses, not only do we find that Nuclearhammer are masters of speed and hatred-born music, but thanks to Axaazaroth's recent experiments in Powerviolence/electronic, there are also short tracks that play in between the chaos; the ambience gives a true feeling of the emptiness and vastness of space. There are also moments when the band slows down, though only for a short period of time.
The beginning of the record starts off explosively, with "Multidimensional Prism of Black Hatred" blasting in, and guitars high in the mix. The guitars fuzz on and keep ones senses intrigued as they try to make out intelligible riffing. It's all madness and chaos, and the fact that it's done with such eloquently thought out overlays makes it better. As the record progresses, not only do we find that Nuclearhammer are masters of speed and hatred-born music, but thanks to Axaazaroth's recent experiments in Powerviolence/electronic, there are also short tracks that play in between the chaos; the ambience gives a true feeling of the emptiness and vastness of space. There are also moments when the band slows down, though only for a short period of time.
Everything about this record simply feels better than Obliteration Ritual, which was already a pretty good record, but suffered from being standard black metal fare. This is something new, and something fresh. Cosmic imagery and themes are rarely ever dealt with in black metal, and the band has incorporated such fresh elements into their sound and image in startlingly effective ways; without sacrificing too much, and straying from what black metal is all about, they've also shown that innovation can be done right.
The only weak point on this record is that I feel there are quite a few filler tracks; as I mentioned previously, there are quite a bit of ambient tracks that they added, supposedly post-recording I guess, though I'm not sure. These may sometimes break up the flow of songs, as they routinely play in between pieces. If these were incorporated into the music somehow, that would be killer! Unfortunately, you just keep getting small snippets throughout that don't amount to much except to fill time on the record.
(This album is definitely a great album worthy of attention. It can be bought here, or ordered directly through the band at their Facebook page.)
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