I liken my first time listening through a Martyrdod record to my first experience with Nachtmystium’s Black Meddle, Pt. 1 in that the music is so utterly engaging from the get go yet the vocals are undeniably jarring for a virgin listener. Even more vicious than Blake Judd, Mikael Kjellman is an absolute monster behind the mic making Martyrdod’s fifth album and the dichotomy within a must own this year.
If you like Converge but could do without the breakneck pace, want more from Aaron Turner’s Split Cranium, and like your Entombed with their foot planted firmly in the Clandestine days then Elddop is an album you need to listen to.
“Nodkanal” opens up the floodgates and once that musical monsoon is unleashed, you better make sure you’re strapped in tight because it’s gonna be a bumpy ride. “En Jobbigt Jnvel” is a headbangers delight and just pure thrashing madness. The riffs are urgent and intimidating with Kjellman’s and Pontus Redig’s guitar squeals and harmonies lighting the song on fire.
If you want it slow, then you’ve come to the wrong place. While “Tentakler” might start off on the low end of the BPM spectrum, it quickly gains momentum into another rock out so that minute reprieve at the beginning should be considered your “break”. “Slav Manual” is another rager and the title track that follows, even more so. Then there’s “Synd” which blisters and boils with sinister fury with riffs up the a-hole early on.
Elddop is out on July 22nd through Southern Lord. Pre-order yours here if you dare!