CoC : Satyricon - Volcano : Review

Satyricon - _Volcano_
(Capitol Records, 2002)
by: Quentin Kalis (8.5 out of 10)

This must have come as a disappointment to the grim corpse-painted brigade (that is, if they hadn't abandoned Satyricon after the release of _Rebel Extravaganza_) as this was released by -– shock! horror! -- a major label (at least in Scandinavia). But the more cynical of our readers can put all thoughts of "Sell-out!" behind them: daytime rotation on MTV is still a very long way off. The scorn and contempt that characterized _Rebel Extravaganza_ have not been diluted one iota by their signing to a major label, and Satyr remains as angry, vitriolic and aggressive as before. I did honestly expect some experimentation with clean vocals, but none are to be found -- Satyr is content to stick with his characteristic rasp. Of course the production far exceeds that of his early days, and will predictably draw more scorn from the aforementioned self-named defenders of true black metal. Although similar in sound to its predecessor, _RE_, _Volcano_ is a considerably less complex affair. The best track is undoubtedly the punchy "Fuel for Hatred"; the catchy hook ensures that this song is the most likely candidate for a single (should one be released; a promo video has already been made). On the downside, the album closes with the fourteen minute long "Black Lava" -– some liberal editing would have greatly improved this overlong nightmare. One can debate endlessly whether _Volcano_ is black metal, but ultimately, what does it matter?

Contact: http://www.satyricon.no

(article published 12/7/2003)

CHATS
1/15/2000	D Rocher	Satyricon: ...and Thus Spake the Dark Half
12/9/1999	P Schwarz	Satyricon: In a Moment of Clarity, the Rebels Return
3/14/1999	P Schwarz	Satyricon: An Extravagant Rebel Conquest

ALBUMS
11/11/2008	J Smit	8.5	Satyricon - The Age of Nero
3/26/2006	J Montague	2	Satyricon - Now, Diabolical
10/12/1999	P Azevedo	9	Satyricon - Rebel Extravaganza
8/12/1999	A Wasylyk	8	Satyricon - Intermezzo II
9/14/1997	S Hoeltzel	4	Satyricon - Megiddo
8/12/1996	S Hoeltzel	5	Satyricon - Nemesis Divina: The Conquering
5/10/1996	S Hoeltzel	7 / 5	Satyricon - The Forest Is My Throne Enslaved - Yggdrasill

GIGS
3/5/2000	M Noll	Satyricon / Behemoth / Hecate Enthroned	Untied Bronze Chains