In every metalhead’s life there is a point where you run against music that changes the way you view extreme metal. The study subject for today is black metal vocals. While exploring the genre many many years ago, I came across Marduk‘s Nightwing album. This one changed my definition of evil at that time, mostly because Legion’s utterly evil screams. I was certain that’s what a proper Satan should sound like (I know… the trials of youth and so forth…). That particular feeling is something that I wasn’t able to recapture until now, when I discovered Kaoteon. This is a band originally from Lebanon, now operating out of Holland. The reason why they relocated is a sad, but justified one:
On 20 December 2003 while the band was playing live, a handful of undercover police entered the club with automatic rifles. Cops took the band hostage, locked them in the trunks of unmarked cars, and interrogated them for days, shuttling them from one location to another. A dozen others were arrested at the gig, including fans and bar managers. They were accused of backing music that Lebanese leaders believe is a front for Satanism.
Given this, it’s easy to justify the level of venom spewing from every note they play. Although the full album is a worthwhile investment of your time, the title track does a superb job of highlighting the vocal performance of Walid Wolflust. Just listen to the track below and judge for yourself. For me it has become a landmark of how unhinged black metal vocals can be. He just completely dominates the track (and album for that matter), in a way that seems both absolutely sincere and commanding at the same time. Keep in mind that this features two very high profile musicians: on bass Linus Klausenitzer (Obscura) and on drums Fredrik Widigs (Marduk).
For more black heart goodness here is the full album:
Not Kinetic Per Se 
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