Band Origin: Stockholm, Sweden
Genre: Death Metal
Release Date: 1997
Album downloads only available to members
Album Info / Review
Intro:
The abyss exhales, and Necrophobic returns with “Darkside,” a sonic testament to the enduring power of Swedish black/death metal. This is not an album that whispers secrets; it screams them from the deepest caverns of despair, a four-track descent into primal aggression and suffocating atmosphere. “Darkside” is a primal scream captured on tape, a raw and unvarnished exploration of the guttural and the grotesque, a stark reminder of what happens when the veil between this world and the next thins to a razor’s edge.
Track Analysis:
“Darkside” opens with a dissonant shriek of feedback, a sonic prelude that immediately signals the unholy proceedings. The title track itself is a relentless onslaught. The tremolo-picked guitar riffs are sharp and venomous, weaving intricate patterns of malice that churn with a relentless, almost mechanical precision. The drumming is a brutal affair, blast beats punctuating the chaos with percussive fury, while the snare hits with the force of a jackhammer. The vocals are a guttural roar, a primal expression of anguish and rage that feels genuinely unearthed, devoid of any theatrical posturing. The bassline, though often buried beneath the sonic maelstrom, provides a thick, slithering foundation that anchors the more chaotic elements.
“Rotten Embrace” shifts gears slightly, introducing a more mid-paced, crushing groove. The riffs here are heavier, more deliberate, laced with a palpable sense of dread. There’s a moment of almost mournful melody in the guitar leads, a fleeting glimpse of beauty in the decay, before the band plunges back into a suffocating intensity. The vocal delivery remains a torrent of guttural despair, each syllable spat with venom. The guitar solos are not shredding exhibitions but rather jagged, dissonant wails that enhance the feeling of unease.
“Serpent’s Kiss” is a more atmospheric offering, though still steeped in brutality. The intro features echoing, distorted guitars that create a vast, desolate soundscape. This gives way to a more driving, yet still suffocating, rhythm. The band expertly balances moments of suffocating tension with explosive bursts of aggression. The interplay between the guitars is particularly noteworthy, creating layers of sonic filth. The drumming here exhibits a more dynamic range, shifting from relentless blast beats to more tribal, ritualistic patterns.
The album concludes with “Whispers of Oblivion,” a track that embodies the album’s title. It’s a slow, creeping dread that builds with agonizing precision. The riffs are heavy, sludgy, and infused with a profound sense of despair. The atmosphere is thick with decay, and the vocals feel more like the dying gasps of a forgotten entity. The track culminates in a cacophony of noise and feedback, leaving the listener adrift in a sea of sonic desolation.
Conclusion:
“Darkside” is a masterful exercise in raw, unadulterated black/death metal. Necrophobic eschews flashy production for a visceral, in-your-face sound that prioritizes aggression and atmosphere. The four tracks on this EP are a cohesive journey into the darkest corners of the human psyche, delivered with unwavering conviction. This is not an album for the faint of heart, but for those who revel in the sonic embodiment of primal fear and existential dread, “Darkside” is an essential listen. It’s a potent reminder of Necrophobic’s enduring legacy in the black and death metal underground.
Rating: 9/10
Highlight Track: Darkside
