CoC : Apostolum - Anedonia : Review

Apostolum - _Anedonia_
(Moribund Cult, 2007)
by: Jeremy Ulrey (2 out of 10)

Uncompelling and only half-realized in a noxious soup of stifling, cut rate production, _Anedonia_ isn't the most impressive introduction a band can make, with all of two actual originals -- not counting the obligatory disc-padding opening and closing instrumentals, of course -- and an extended cover of Katatonia's "Brave". The last couple of minutes of "Dark Deep Waters" finally ratchets up the ambience to a fairly sinister degree, but the whole affair is hamstrung by straining vocals and a clattering percussive sound that's more like badly miked cymbals than intentional primitivism. The vocals which kick off "Anxiety Attack" are frankly some of the most unintentionally hilarious I've ever heard in black metal history, sounding as if Cookie Monster had his balls in a vice grip. Not the result they were going for, most likely. I'll say no more, except that this wouldn't have really made the grade as a demo, let alone a legitimate release. Better luck next time.

(article published 23/6/2007)