. . .
It’s anyone’s guess why it’s taken Craft six years to pen a follow-up to the subtly titled Fuck the Universe. Maybe the unexpected and uninvited embrace of black metal by bearded, coffee-guzzling liberal arts students spooked them. Or maybe they simply grew tired of writing some of the grimiest, riffiest, and downright metal-est Swedish black metal since Quorthon was entering eternal fire instead of hammering hearts. And don’t even give me the, “They lost their drummer!” excuse. Metal drummers spontaneously combust everyday. Haven’t they seen Spinal Tap? Anyway, Craft are back, and the biggest mystery now is how the over-intellectualizing of this genre will accept their blunt approach. I mean, I love Woe and Krallice as much as the next dude, but sometimes you just don’t feel like unraveling miles of twisted leads and polyrhythmic drumming, right?
On Void,Craft are at their filthy best. “Come Resonance of Doom,” with its pummeling repetition and explosions of swinging double bass, is enough to prove they’re just as pissed as ever. It’s nothing new. The production is as crisp as always, lending a strange sense of depth to the riffing on “Leaving the Corporal Shade”, especially considering the primitive nature of the dissonant strikes and constant tremolo. And of course there’s a lone guitar break, after which they come back even slower, hammering Mikael Nox’s howls home.
They sure don’t leave much room for the imagination. “I Want to Commit Murder” is about as blunt as you can get. Stray solos and punky drum breaks abound, as Nox shrieks the song’s title as more of a mantra than a chorus, imploring us to join him. We wouldn’t blame him if this particular intent were directed at a certain other Swedish black metal band. There’s no telling how this scene will deal with Craft’s return, after Watain climbed to the top of the Swedish black metal heap and even went so far as to claim a spot on Southern Lord’s roster. Were they just keeping the seat warm, or planning on settling in for the long haul? I’m not sure, but that mushroom cloud gracing the cover of Void could have Mr. Danielsson’s name scrawled in smoke.
. . .
HEAR CRAFT
. . .
Craft – “I Want to Commit Murder”
. . .
Craft – “Succumb to Sin”
. . .
BUY VOID
. . .
As a bearded, coffee-guzzling graphic design student- I LOVE IT (not as much as “Fuck the Universe” though)
This review is so good, it’s almost Cosmo good (although saying Watain’s name was kind of like a comedian explaining the joke). Other than that minor complaint, you have done everything perfectly. And it doesn’t even matter if I agree with it (I haven’t heard this yet, so I don’t know if I will).
I absolutely love this band. FtU is an album I constantly return to. Black n’ Roll never gets old. Also, Watain has never released a dud. Lawless Darkness is just the latest in a discography chock full of well written, memorable SONGS. What the fuck with all the hate? Please don’t explain…I don’t give a fuck.
While Twatain is leaving crimson snail trails from Uppsala to Brooklyn, CRAFT is melting down reaktor 4 and “fucking, destroying, ANNIHILATING!!!”
They’re swedes? Wow. I always thought they were from Norway, sounding like that.. anyways, why the comparison with Watain? I don’t think they sound very similar at all. Maybe a better comparison would be with Nifelheim? Or maybe not.
Anyway, Craft will never be fashionable black metal, they don’t have what it takes to appeal to a large metal crowd. And I’ve always thought they were kinda boring. With a few exceptions, Sweden is definitely not the breeding ground for black metal. Either we try to sound norwegian and fail or we try to adapt our own sound and (mostly) fail.
Very well written review.
The album is good but lacks here and there. There seems to be a Craft formula they rely a lot on on this album. Don’t get me wrong, it’s still well done and delivered perfectly, but something is lacking in the songwriting department I’d say.
I’d get a good Craft over an awesome Watain anytime!