RAKOTH
Planeshift (Earache/Elitist)
Reviewed by Jason Thornberry

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I know what you're thinking: "Huhhh? Flute-lines and a drum machine playing blast beats?" Yes, it sounds a bit like Jethro Tull mixed with Repulsion. Then again, is it possible for flute to come up in a song without it at least seeming similar to Ian Anderson's crusty old band? They ruined the fucking flute. Apologies if you're a fan of that shitty group, but Rakoth (by way of Russia) are here using it in un-cheesified ways. Black metal gets reappraised here with piano interludes that recall Dracula dropping his blood-thirsty zombie studmuffin schtick and becoming Lionel Ritchie for the evening on "The Unquiet Grave," my personal favorite. Leshy (their ex-drummer) should be kicking himself right about now. He quit, he's probably on the Russian version of the dole, and Rakoth are on tour! Nice one, meathead. The double-bass rolls are almost too smooth to be human anyway. Impressive.

8/10

© 2002 - Jason Thornberry