Goatwhore - Blood for the Master (2012)

Goatwhore's latest, Blood for the Master, continues on the rock solid path the band has been trodding along since Carving Out the Eyes of God with a nice thrashy-influenced culmination of black and death metal. The act's first three records carried a heavy black metal aesthetic, but always fell back on death metal, the next two coming closer to chaotic thrashing. What shocks fans most about the new album, however, is the polished production many black metal groups do not have due to an ongoing tradition: rawness in production. Despite that, Goatwhore manages to hold their own among their peers, reaching an unmatched level of popularity as acknowledgement continues to rise toward their music.

Whatever the case may be, the band succeeds with Blood for the Master because it wraps fixed Goatwhore aesthetic into a short 38 minutes--both a satisfying and addictive listen--and puts their last to record shame. Although the music isn't exactly the same as it has been in the past, the album reaches into the bag recent Goatwhore procured, mixes it up, and mends the holes Carving Out the Eyes of God left as listeners hung in seemingly empty space expecting something more substantial. Blood for the Master's replay value one ups any material Goatwhore previously released and finally puts their tunes on the map as a volcanic hotspot of accessible extreme metal. Because of that, the album is currently the crowning achievement in their discography and welcomes new listeners with open arms.

As before, guitarist/vocalist Sammy Pierre Duet and lead vocalist L. Ben Falgoust II team up to unleash a diabolical vocal hailstorm upon listeners. The majority of Blood for the Master rests in a black metal-like rasp with a casual dip into growling, but the deeper the vocals go, the more I become annoyed with the way the two express themselves. I suppose the style reminds me of how a band outside of death/black metal would attempt harsh vocals--specifically deathcore--because it feels forced and contrived. Luckily, it barely shows up for the duration of the album, and I'm spared from a minor setback that might spoil the listening experience. On the plus side, guitar riffs are highly speedy, weaving in and out from black, death, and thrash metal, and the drumwork is as solid as it has ever been. There's about zilch to dislike here, especially if you loved the band's last record and if you're a fan of extreme metal [in general]. I'm just what they call "picky."

Individual highlights be damned, Blood for the Master flows like a fine piece of literature. You never want to put it down, you must experience it in full, and you must commit every bit and piece to memory because you end up loving it so much. While it isn't perfect by any means, it is a huge step in direction the band has likely aspired for as they expand their fan-base. Don't worry: you won't find your mom or your geeky movie OST aficionado friend jamming out to Goatwhore any time soon. They still remain righteously intense but with a new air about themselves, one that only existing fans will pick up on.

Favorite tracks: "Beyond the Spell of Discontent," "Embodiment of this Bitter Chaos"

-TMA