RAGINPIT MAGAZINE

Satyricon - Volcano
Release Date: 2002

Track Listing:
1. With Ravenous Hunger – 6:40
2. Angstridden – 6:23
3. Fuel for Hatred – 3:53
4. Suffering the Tyrants – 5:08
5. Possessed – 5:21
6. Repined Bastard Nation – 5:44
7. Mental Mercury – 6:53
8. Black Lava – 14:29
9. Existential Fear-questions – 5:34 (LP-Bonus track)
10. Live Through Me – 4:47 (LP-Bonus track)

Everyone is a statistic it seems now in the 2000’s. Everything is tracked - who bought this or that or who is into what forms of leisure activities - how many times you splurge too much on life’s modern luxuries. Unsurprisingly, even how many times you have felt it necessary to go repent in the house of the “Big guy upstairs” has become a statistic. This information you would think would be none other than useless trivia to most of our citizens in the U.S. unless you were using this data to figure out how many sinners needed to be rounded up in a certain area. Satyr found in reading this statistical data that Americans between the ages of 18 and 30 are the least rebellious and the most God fearing in the world.

Being the front man of a legendary black metal band, this information was just what they required to decide where they were next needed to spread their words of poison and hatred in the darkest of ways. I got warning of this impending invasion through the mail. Encased in a cardboard white envelope was a black CD case decorated by a shadow covered python printed on the insert with the words Satyricon - Volcano in evil lettering written on it.

Immediately I came into the house and placed the CD into my stereo. I had to know what lurking doom these demonic Vikings from Norway had planned. I figured the best way to know was study their songs, get to know them through every verse and train my ears to recognize the ominous beats of their drums especially written to keep dark lords like Loki pleased.

Track one came out like a seething berserker foaming at the mouth. It was aptly titled “With Ravenous Hunger.” The lyrics describe Satyr’s distaste in someone who evidently was nurtured in the ways of evil and chose to turn on his master. The beat drove into my skull; the guitars have a raw and relentless way of keeping you hooked and ready to be subjected to more pleasurable torture and dismay.

This led into the next track “Angstridden.” I wasn’t sure on what that title meant, but I quickly gained the meaning. This time we are taken back to what I gather is the possible origins of this black metal assembly. Satyr’s Carcass like vocals is accompanied by an upbeat drum style and bass set in an evil hard rock fashion. This carries on for a short time before bursting into high speed guitars and blast beats and then being smoothed over by silky female chorus lines. I thought it had a simple feel, but definitely enticing.

Track three “Fuel for Hatred” takes you straight in to a forward heavy riff combination with some damn good hooks. I can feel the Satyricon's majik weaving around me because my subconscious is telling me to definitely keep this in my play list for further corruption upon my soul. I’m not even half way through this disc yet. Perhaps I’m marked for certainty chosen to become a convert into this church of gloom.

“Suffering Tyrants” came next on the menu. A symbolic description of questioning, whether or not one could be strong enough to endure the tragedies of society’s ridicule, too rise up, to defeat all who would stand in our way. This tune starts out high speed, but takes a slower turn with steady flowing guitars and bass and drums keeping a solid foundation and ending with some furious foot work, which will leave your ear drums bruised, tender and driving you into a ravenous hunger for more.

“Possessed” is a song about clear sight, envisioning the Devil's triumph over those who oppress his minions. Another slower tune with some faster parts, it truly has a traditional feel to it.

Track 6, “Depined Bastard Nation,” picks up the pace and questions whether or not if we truly need another revamped failed attempt towards worldly government. Satyr and company describe in an intensely brutal way that our only true salvation will be a revered angel of light which will conquer all.

“Mental Mercury” keeps the tempo going and brings to light that the signs are surely there that this man’s world is to fall, from our many transgressions and failures.

The prophecy of is summed up by the final song “Black Lava,” a tune describing our definite outcome in a world ruled by our dark lord sitting on his golden throne, over seeing a poisoned waste land of men and woman suffering eternal punishment for not recognizing soon enough that man is blatantly naïve and should have acknowledged who our true savior really is.

On a scale 1 to 10, I feel this CD has an 8 pentagram rating. Any true black metal die hard should put this in their collection of darkest of works. I really liked the video included "Fuel For Hatred," which really put this band into perspective and maybe through majik works or subliminal suggestion, I am defiantly feeling rather carnivorous and ready to head out and spread the word of these dark findings that have blessed my mail box.

Check out more by visiting the official Satyricon website:
http://www.satyricon.no/