Terror Throne - World on It's Knees

Also from Chicago is Terror Throne aka Robert Campos, who did the Pagan Pages 'zine in the early '90s. Yes, World on It's Knees (Sempiternal, 2008) is the title of his record. I have tried my best, and failed, to see if "world on it is knees" parses to anything. Musician, graphic designer, and label owner all didn't care, so maybe I shouldn't, either. Still, it kills me to enshrine a typo here.

Arsenal of Fury
Scorn a New Day

This record sounds like Gollum singing to himself while hoovering his house after one coffee too many. The organic, free-range bass work recalls Hungary's Vorkuta. The askew death metal of Demilich also comes to mind a little. It puzzles me that music so lacking in speed, power, and heaviness is called metal, but black metal is a funny beast. This record does have a certain indie rock-esque appeal, though. The guitars are charmingly creaky, backed by copious drum fills and cymbal crashes. Catchy riffs pop up now and then, occasionally evoking Darkthrone. However, the songs don't stay in any one place for long. The production is buzzing and dirty, with natural-sounding drums and space for the bass to roam about. This record is quirky as hell, but its mileage is potentially greater for it.

World is available at blackmetal.com.