Carpathian Forest continue their collapse with their fifth full length. Actually, one may defend them saying that they are kicking ass black metal band with rockish elements, but the question must be asked: is it True Norwegian Black Metal, the one to which we got used to? I don’t think so. Darkthrone is the rockish one, Carpathian Forest certainly not.

Their music got a bit heavier and now is more trashy than rock’n’rollish, it can be heard by comparing tracks Submit to Satan and Mask of the Slave because both base on a very similar riff. Anyway, why the fuck they copy their old song? Is it the lack of ideas? Or why the hell they continue their catchy and vivacious way of composing? It seems that they got too old to do something real, or maybe they are real but in their faggot way. They forgot what true Norwegian black metal is for sure. All in all, since Strange Old Brew they have been falling down. And now they became to sound like a bunch of pseudo black metal assholes who just pretend to be evil.

The tone of their new album is very similar to their earlier works. Production is clear and every instrument is hearable. In case of music itself they certainly progressed, there are a few solos and some virtuosity but this is not death metal or any other genre where the skill really matters. This ought to be black metal – cold atmosphere, soaking evilness, and everything which makes this genre so attractive. Unfortunately here we have funny riffs, punkish percussion and the worst of it all – Nattefrost’s vocals. He sings like a pissed off hippie pretending to be scary and tough. From time to time it is hearable that something bites his ass – notice those “oughs” placed between the lines of dumb lyrics.(lyrics does not deserve to be written about, they are something between perversion and imbecility. Sometimes there are even choirs or choruses sang by two or three voices – this is the most funny part, where at the first plan we have weak Natte and at the back we hear some dumb beast’s roaring. But to add some more to their cool music, Natte decided to extend his voice even more – check out for example Dypfryst or The First Cut is The Deepest for riot-kind screaming, is it the demonstration against something? If it is, it sounds weak and punkish as fuck. Natte, you will never reach your beloved “cunt” screaming like that.

For fuck you all my answer is fuck you too! If Norwegian black metal will still be evolving like that there will be nothing more to expect from this genre. The album lacks of everything which this music was intentionally. Its kinda faster and more aggressive, but lack of ballads does not mean that its better. After three years of waiting Carpathian Forest gave us another crap, the final nail to their coffin.

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