Arghoslent - Hornets of the Pogrom

The most controversial band since Graveland unleashes its third album of "Totalitarian Death Metal."

Something like a Heavier Metal concoction of Anal Cunt, Carnivore and GG Allin, Virginia's Arghoslent have proven, through both words and music, consistently able to get under an audience's skin. This latest exercise of unfailing discrimination, Hornets of Pogrom, continues the group's lyrical themes of war, slavery and conquest from the Greeks ("Oracle of the Malefic Rhizome") to the 16th century massacres of Ivan The Terrible ("Dog and Broom"), onto the trans-Atlantic slave trade, often voiced from the mindset of the aggressor / conqueror.

While many would prefer to shrug off the tone of this and previous records as falling under the guise of objective storytelling ("they're just talking about stuff that really happened, man"), through interviews the group reveals itself to be less passive about their historic / racialist subject matter.

In that regard, Hornets of the Pogrom might appear slightly less in-your face than 2003's too suitably titled Incorrigible Bigotry, but it all depends on how you look at it. In fact, rather than referencing "niggers," and raping slaves, the lyrics to tracks like "Manacled Freightage" are even more offensive, intentionally provoking with imprecations of calculated mockery and disdain:




Despite this, Arghoslent has received nearly unanimous praise for its musical direction – a triumphalist, almost buccaneering ride through melodic, NWOBHM-style riff salads with unter-growls raised from below the cabin deck, which suits the picture of ancient warfare and colonial brutality perfectly.

That the album contains at least some subtler expressions of valor ("The Grenadier") and musical know-how embedded alongside the primarily rhythmic and ridiculously hateful refrains (demonstrated, among the handful in the storming and rueful instrumental title track) further complicates matters for an audience not usually forced to take a stand and put their personal convictions up against listening habits.

The claims, often made, that, were it not for their attitude, the band would see its fortunes raise considerably as one of the more popular underground bands today (Which makes you wonder if, despite all the hand wringing, the group hasn't taken the easy route after all) invariably holds true again with Hornets of The Pogrom. For whether you love them or hate them, take them seriously or regard them merely as frustrated bigots, Arghoslent is still impossible to ignore.

[Todd DePalma]

type: reviews    keywords: death metal,   

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