Occult - Elegy For The Weak

*=Staff's pick	Disturbing The Dead Nuclear Torment Nocturnal Predator* Feel The Blade Expire Warbeast Obsessed By The Grave Slaughtering The Pigs Reapers Call Slut Of Sodom Until The Battle (Bonus track)

Genre	Death/Black Metal	Maurice Swinkle	Vocals
Tracks	11	Richard Ebisch	Guitar
Runningtime	40 Min.	-	Guitar
Label	Karmageddon Media	Twan	Bass
Release	14 April 2004	Erik Fleuren	Drums
Country	Holland	-	Keyboards
Similar artists	Kreator, Slayer, Death

Evil is without a doubt the word that sums this one up - satanical influences as well as a touch of death, just take a look of the titles. If the titles appeal to you there is more than a fair chance that you will like this album, and when the lyrics are dark and dealing with death, murder, violence and occultism supported with furious grinding music, it is not music suitable for young children.
Dutch band Occult have been struggling with their four previous releases and put hope in this one, and why shouldn't they?, the potential is at least there.

Occult is dealing with old school trash/death metal with a slight hint of black as well, and death metal growls with lots of thrash grinding guitars. The sound is surprisingly good, with a great clear sound in a heavy production. Not so common to have such a great sound quality from these kinds of bands, the sound tends to be darker and more messy, but this is brilliant.

They got a lot of energy and frustration while riffing almost as great as the guys in Slayer and grinding as Kreator with lyrics in true Carcass style, it is not a bright future these guys foresee with death, murder and destruction.
The helicopter clattering from the drums is magnificent, most of all in the track Nocturnal Predator with heavy grinds and a Kreator like groove, the biggest highlight and sadly it is about the only highlight on Elegy For The Weak. You really only need one track from this album, they do sound a little bit different from each other, not much though, but when there is a total lack of leads and guitar solos it doesnt matter.
Seriously great grinding through the verses cut in a Slayer-ish break with their type of grinding and then of course a solo, right? Nope not here, it is back to the beginning again with the repetitive grinds.

That the voice from Maurice Swinkle is not so good also helps to drag the grade down, as at times he sounds like a cat puking hairballs. I really like growls and have to fight a constant battle against non-believers with defending and explaining that music can actually be just as good with this kind of vocals, it is a matter of emotion and melody but not least sincerity.
But I have to give in here, Occult could actually have more to gain with some serious thrash style vocals rather than the ill growling.

No matter how sweet the grinds and riffs are, it gets tiring to hear them endlessly without solo-parts - where the hell are they? The speed is also at their favour as well as aggression, but it tends to be repetitive noise when there is no variation. If you've heard one track you've heard em all.

Production	Vocals	Compositions
9	3	4

Summary
4 chalices of 10 - Thomas