CoC : Funeral Rites - Necroeater : Review

Funeral Rites - _Necroeater_
(Painkiller, 2000)
by: Alvin Wee (4 out of 10)

A somewhat old release, but since Painkiller sent it over I thought I'd say a few words. Not that there's a lot to be said about this Japanese quartet claiming to play old-school black metal. If "old-school" has become a euphemism for "outdated", then I'd agree fully with the greatly overstated bio. Seven "Hellish" (certainly not my words) tracks of generic Norsecore replete with kindergarten-level keyboards in the vein of old Covenant don't make for much of a listen, and the fact that most tracks are re-recorded material from their demos barely accounts for the lamentable lack of originality on the album. The embarrassing simplicity of keyboard instrumental "Disenchantment" could make even Mortiis weep with pity. In all fairness, there isn't really anything truly horrendous about this album; it's just the absolute lack of -any- imagination that makes it such a drag. With country-mates like Sigh, Sabbat and Ritual Carnage vying for our attention, this is the stuff we really don't need clogging our shelves. Then again, if you love old Covenant...

Contact: painkiller@infonie.be

(article published 13/5/2001)