Tuesday 6 September 2016

Okkultokrati - Raspberry Dawn (Album Review)


Release date: September 23rd 2016. Label: Southern Lord Recordings. Format: CD/DD/Vinyl

Raspberry Dawn – Tracklisting

World Peace
Raspberry Dawn
We Love You
Suspension
Hard to Please, Easy to Kill
Hidden Future
Ocular Violence
Magic People

Review:

I’ve heard of Okkultokrati before but I’ve never listened to them before I was given their new album – Raspberry Dawn – to review. I didn’t know what to expect though I know they’re a band that are very highly thought of in their respective scenes. I’m still trying to decide what that scene actually is as Okkultokrati’ sound is very hard to describe. Parts Noise Rock, Punk, Doom, Sludge and Black Metal.

With the band being four albums into their career, they know how to write a great song packed full of different ideas with a lot of groove. Raspberry Dawn is perhaps one of the more interesting and hugely entertaining albums I’ve heard this year. It’s a very hard album to listen to at times but Okkultokrati have a huge likeability factor running throughout the album.

Opening track – World Peace – is a hardcore punk driven song with elements of Noise, Doom and Sludge riffs with grizzled vocals to match. The guitars have a cool psychedelic vintage edge with the vocals flirting from Hardcore clean vocals to distorted grunts and growls.

Second track – Raspberry Dawn carries on the Hardcore Punk/Noise Rock twisted hybrid sound with the band creating heavy moments of pounding bass guitars as the main instrument of choice. The Psychedelic Doom based vibes adds an interesting touch as the album becomes more enjoyable as a result.

It’s to Okkultokrati’s credit they have created a set of songs that sound very different to each other. Take the third track – We Love You, for example. This sees the band add a more synth based sound before it turns into a slightly more gothic/doom based sound. Other great songs to check out are: Leave and Be Gone, Hidden Future and Magic People. Each of these songs demonstrates how inventive Okkultokrati are compared to other bands. Raspberry Dawn proves that there is currently not many bands around such as Okkultokrati. As the band create their own distinctive and original sound.

I maybe a first time listener to Okkultokrati’s world but I feel Raspberry Dawn will appeal to both long-time fans and first time listeners such as myself. Raspberry Dawn is a haunting and complex album to listen to at times but what an exciting ride awaits you. Excellent and Highly Recommended.

Words by Steve Howe

Thanks to Jack at Rarely Unable PR for the promo. Raspberry Dawn will be available to buy on CD/Vinyl via Southern Lord Recordings from September 23rd 2016.

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