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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