LEVIATHAN (CA) — Howl Mockery at the Cross (review)

LEVIATHAN (CA) — Howl Mockery at the Cross album cover Boxset / Compilation · 2005 · Depressive Black Metal Buy this album from MMA partners
4/5 ·
Wilytank
(Originally posted to Encyclopaedia Metallum: The Metal Archives)

There are some bands who make compilation albums with songs easily found on the standard editions of their common full-lengths, and there are some bands who compile rare songs from demos or the like. 'Howl Mockery at the Cross' is a solid example of the latter. The release contains a collection of Leviathan songs recovered from damaged demo tapes. Consequentially, the recording quality varies from song to song. Some of Wrest's best work can be found here.

"Summoning Lupine," my favorite track on the CD, starts with 45 seconds of ambient tone mixed with war trumpets and continues on as the drums and bass join in. Wrest issues forth a creepy vocal passage before letting the raw black metal riffs start. Though the song goes on for almost nine minutes, Wrest never repeats a riff and the song doesn't get boring.

The three songs that follow are also nice selections. "Lycanthropus Rex" has a manic intro and outro riff that fits the image of the song's namesake. "The Axis and Maw of the Inferno, Mine" is slightly slower and darker while maintaining a good degree of aggression. "Where Annihilation Dwells" has drums that play at a near constant speed, but along with the guitar riffs, it sounds fine.

The next few are much less great. "Liar of Nazareth" has riffs that remind me too much of a Gorgoroth song called "Profetens Apenbaring." The so called "melodic" main riff of "Just Under the Tainted Grace" is annoying to hear; fortunately, it doesn't stay on that riff the whole song. The only song I find absolutely skip-able is "S.W.O.L." It sounds like one of Xasthur's crappier songs. Come on, Wrest. You could have picked a better song than that.

I somehow find the later part of "Never For Peace" danceable. It begins with fast riffs and ends with a groove metal type riff. It may be the only reason to keep listening to this CD. "Those Slimy Things" is boring (but not as boring as "S.W.O.L."), and the Death In June cover, though a little better, doesn't have much in terms of redeeming qualities.

If you don't mind the mediocre songs, the rest of the CD can be really rewarding. It's not totally essential, but this CD rounds off a Leviathan collection quite nicely.
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