Focus Reviews

Herrschaft - Architects Of The Humanicide
Style: Black Metal/Industrial
Running Time: 22 Minutes and 32 Seconds
Label: http://www.code666.net/


Let me first say that before I heard Herrschaft I was not a fan of any bands with industrial tendencies. With that being said Herrschaft's 'Architects Of The Humanicide' may just have changed my opinion a bit. While 'Architects Of The Humanicide' threw me for a loop completely it was a pleasant surprise to hear this album away from all the metal thats usually blasting from this stereo.

To begin the album starts with song 'Rise To The Humanicide' which builds in about 1 minute of buzzing and beeping to an almost Techno (Electro for some) sort of beat with sinister sounding vocals thrown over top. When 'Rise...' ends second track 'Apogee' crunches in and delves into a thick soundscape of programming and synth driven riffs. The album doesn't change much from that vibe though. Much of 'Architects Of The Humanicide' is fueled on by the synth wrap around guitar work, but a good base is formed by the vocal styling of M.X.. Which seems to be a mix of really processed and effected vocals with a snarling almost completely black metal delivery.

As the album progresses in time, the songs get longer and a little more complex, adding female vocals and sometimes allowing the guitars to be brought to the forefront of the music instead of relying solely on following the synth around like a lost child. Closer 'De Flammes Et D'ombres' really raises the bar for the entire E.P. and builds a very nice crescendo to the end of its six minutes that ends the album perfectly. At the end of it all though this very short five song E.P. from these French industrial black metalers serves as a very fine effort for Code666 Records. They always seem to be putting left field releases out and this is absolutely no different for them.

'Architects Of The Humanicide' is a very solid E.P. and really leaves you wanting more from Herrschaft.

Score: 7/10