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Album Details

• Artist: Anaal Nathrakh
• Album: Vanitas
• Label: Candlelight Records
• Year of Release: 2012
• ME Rating:
• Reviewed by: solitaryman on 2012-10-28

Having always been a borderline fan, but never delving too deep into their material, the news of the UK's exteme metal forerunners Anall Nathrakh's new record was met with a so-so level of anticipation by myself. Not records, but individual tracks have, in the past, met with my approval and for whatever reason, I had never delved into an entire LP's worth of their chaotic black metal. Vanitas is, in a way, my first taste of what Anaal Nathrakh has to offer.


The album immediately gripped me with "Forging Towards The Sunset", one of the more monumental and truly epic metal songs I've heard in some time. Particular songs of their past (Between Shit And Piss We Are Born, Do Not Speak) utilized this track's core elements in similar ways: driving verses bursting into a clean/scream vocal climax that galvanizes the ear and sends chills down the spine. It is this duality of extreme and extremely melodic that sets Anaal Nathrakh apart, but their core sound is ultimately satisfying either way. "Todos Somos Humanos", "Make Glorious The Embrace of Saturn" and the back-half's most impressive songs, "Feed The Beast" and "Of Fire and Fucking Pigs" are all testaments to noteworthy songwriting and technical aptitude, conjuring atmosphere and attitude with the upmost honesty and integrity. There is a good reason why this band is considered by many to be the absolute pinnacle of extreme metal, and Vanitas is a near-flawless testament to that opinion. And, just to put icing on the cake, the band saves the hauntingly beautiful "A Metaphor For The Dead" for last, closing the record on a splendid note.



To be sure, Vanitas has piqued my curiosity towards what I may have missed from past Anaal Nathrakh records. With one record, they've quite convinced me of their ability to construct massive and memorable metal, with emphasis on elements that I myself find enthralling when done right. The melodic and the chaotic, melded together in a way that glorifies the sound without dishonestly glorifying the musicians. Zero pretention, 100% perfection, Vanitas is one of 2012's defining metal statements.

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