Satyricon The Age of Nero
by Jorden Rex
Staff Writer
Satyricon has never been the fastest, most aggressive Black Metal band around. They have shown that they are capable of it with their cover of Sarcofago’s “INRI” on their 1999 EP Intermezzo II and much of the Rebel Extravaganza album (also from 1999), among others. However, the last two albums Satyricon has released (2002’s Volcano, 2006’s Now, Diabolical) have shown a definite move towards a mid-paced, groove heavy, well produced product. 2009’s The Age of Nero is no exception.
The Age of Nero opens with probably its most aggressive song, “Commando.” After some obligatory intro sounds, “Commando” comes at you with crushing intensity and determination, but quickly settles into a head-bobbing tempo that remains through most of the album. It’s the kind of tempo that you could pound your fist in the air to, like a 40-minute chorus designed specifically to get an audience to move in synch; an effect that is amplified during the sing-a-long-ready choruses in “Black Crow on a Tombstone” and “Die By My Hand.”
The constant mid-paced tempo does provide an opportunity for some new elements to come forth. Unlike many of their earlier albums, Satyricon’s usually treble-heavy mix has come down a bit, allowing the bass lines (provided this time by Victor Brandt, from Sweden’s Dominion) to be more present and add some depth, especially on “The Wolfpack.” Another interesting element comes in the closing track, “Den Siste.” Meaning “The Last” in Norwegian, it uses an even slower tempo and a menacing, if quiet, complement of horns (three trombones and a tuba) to make you feel like something is ending (something other than just the album) — something important, something big.
That brings up another point: Satyr has lost none of his ability to write music that can evoke emotion. His guitar tone and riffs ooze hatred and grimness, and the slower pace thrusts the harshness forward and forces you to focus on those feelings. Adding to that is Frost’s double-bass work: while the toms and cymbals are used mostly to accentuate the guitar’s tempo, the bass drums are often running at a break-neck speed; constantly threatening to break through and deliver the aural assault that the guitars only hint at.
Finally, the vocals and lyrics are as sinister as the guitar tone. While Satyr’s vocals have edged closer and closer to being downright understandable, that has done nothing to diminish the contempt in his voice. Most of the album seems to advocate revolt against subjugation, and is a condemnation of inactivity. “Die By My Hand” is a clear indictment of passivity and fear; “My Skin is Cold” is a call to arms (“A heathen’s call / Stand up or fall”); “Last Man Standing” and “The Sign of the Trident” give examples of ideals to look up to and strive to achieve (“Answers to no one / Certain and Bold / It makes us / Stick to the cause”). The lyrics are often hauntingly vivid, evoking images of sorrow and despair equally as potent as the anger and pride alongside them.
The Age of Nero is not the Satyricon of old. It is a slower, more purposeful album than Nemesis Divina or Rebel Extravaganza, and it is certainly worth a listen. Some will complain about the polished production or the slower tempo or whatever else people can find to complain about, but the fact of the matter is that this is an album as full of harsh sound-scapes as anything that came before it, and certainly worth a listen.
Label: Koch Records
Web: www.satyricon.no
www.myspace.com/satyricon
Band Lineup:
Satyr – Vocals and Guitars
Frost – Drums
Track Listing:
1. Commando
2. The Wolfpack
3. Black Crow on a Tombstone
4. Die By My Hand
5. My Skin is Cold
6. The Sign of the Trident
7. Last Man Standing
8. Den Siste
Hardrock Haven Rating: 7.5