Algor - Úder Pohanského Hnevu (Album Review)

Tracklist: 

1. Vzplanutie slovanskej nenávisti

2. Pohanský boj 
3. Vládca zimnej krajiny
4. Čas odplaty 
5. Výzva k pomste
6. Slovanská krv
7. V objatí lesnej ríše 
8. Príchod bielej kráľovny
9. Moc ducha pohanského
10. Tajomstvo jaskyne

This is the first full length release from the two man Slovakian raw black metal project Algor. It was originally released in 2003 and saw Aldaron providing Vocals, Guitars and Bass, and Miroslav "Slavfist" providing drum work.

I was lucky enough to be able to get hold of a cassette copy of this album so I thought I would write a review on it rather than the bands most recent full length release Hierofánia from 2013.

Right from the first few moments of the first track I was impressed by just how raw and frankly crude the band’s sound was, each track is like a panzer division of snare beats and hatred ploughing straight into your face.

The only moments of calm are probably the slight pause between each track, which gives the listener a few seconds to catch their breath before the assault begins again.

Aldaron provides extremely abrasive vocals, and thankfully manages to make himself heard over the often dull and repetitive drum work that consists of almost nothing but blasting snare beats. This dull drum work is the album’s biggest let down, as it constantly distracts from the other more enjoyable musical elements, such as the often cold aggressive riff work of Aldaron. The obnoxious drum work however is as much a mixing problem as a musical one, and considering how low-fi most of this album is, some slack may have to be cut.

Overall this is pretty enjoyable raw black metal record that is by no means anything new for its time, but is still very much worth tracking down, especially as the cassette adds to the raw atmosphere.