The first two Autokrator albums — the self-titled debut in 2015, and The Obeisance To Authority in 2016 — were senses-shattering experiences. On my own senses, the first album (reviewed here, with an interview) probably had a more stupefying impact, because I didn’t know what was about to hit me. For the second one, I had the good sense to wear body armor and flame-resistant head-gear before listening; but it wasn’t enough. It blew right through me like a howling hurricane.
I’m speaking in a figurative sense, of course, but only barely. The almost unmitigated savagery and destructive power of Autokrator’s death/industrial assaults are overpowering. But the music also exerts a powerful primal appeal; you can become easily intoxicated by this brand of violence. And so, with steeled nerves but with a trembling mix of fear and excitement, I confront the fact that Autokrator are about to unleash hell again.
The band’s new album is Hammer of the Heretics. It will be released on April 10 by Krucyator Productions. It consists of five tracks, including one mind-scarring interlude, and today we present the album-opener, a piece called “Against Flesh and Blood“.
For this new album, composer/guitarist/bassist L.F. and vocalist David Bailey were joined in the recording by veteran drummer extraordinaire Kevin Paradis (Benighted, Aggressor, Mithridatic, ex – Svart Crown), because apparently the last two albums left a few of Earth’s cities still standing and this time they wanted to ensure that no survivors would be left.
Conceptually, “Against Flesh and Bone” is about the Knights Templar and their “Christian Duties in The Holy War”. The lyrics are based on Ephesians 6:12, which is rendered in the King James version of the Bible as follows: “For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.”
The music proves to be an eye-opening way to begin the album — an immense roaring storm of mind-enveloping sound composed of dense, suffocating gales of riffing and massive, heaving, low-end vibrations, through which the crack of Paradis‘ snare work sounds like high-caliber weaponry. David Bailey’s heartless roars add to the atmosphere of hopelessness and horror.
As in other Autokrator’s creations, this one is infiltrated by seething lead guitar lines that in turn infiltrate the listener’s mind, and it’s segmented by titanic grooves that will make a fierce connection with the reptile part of your brain.
Listen below… and play it loud… and line up to acquire it via the links below.
PRE-ORDER:
http://krucyator.com/product/autokrator-hammer-of-the-heretics-digipack
https://krucyator.bandcamp.com/album/hammer-of-the-heretics
https://autokrator.bandcamp.com/album/hammer-of-the-heretics
AUTOKRATOR:
https://www.facebook.com/autokratormetal
https://autokrator.bandcamp.com
ISLANDER knows how to properly praise great music 🙂
Thank you!
Awesome ….