When it comes to my old album reviews, I sometimes look back to see how my opinion has evolved over time. There are some cases where I feel I overrated an album. Perhaps I was in a generous mood at that precise moment in time? More often, however, it’s the contrary: An album receives lower marks than it deserved, for whatever reason or another. One such example is the last album from Belgian blackened speed maniacs Bütcher, 666 Goats Carry My Chariot. Admittedly, an 8 out of 10 rating is far from shabby, but as the ’20s near their halfway point, I firmly consider it to be a masterpiece of the decade thus far.
Being held in such high esteem only made the anticipation for their next album, On Fowl of Tyrant Wing, that much stronger. Would this tried and trve horde of “Speed Metal Samurais” be able to expand upon the magick of 666 Goats? The answer to that question, for the most part, is a resounding yes. On their latest full length offering, Bütcher continues their unabashedly old school metallic onslaught, continuing to bow at the altar of pulverizing speed and first wave black metal, while subsequently broadening their sonic palettes.
For those who couldn’t get enough of the Show No Mercy era Slayer worship that dominated 666 Goats, Bütcher has you covered. Cuts like “Speed Metal Samurai”, “Koraktor’s Iron Rule”, and “Keep the Steele (Flamin’ Hot)” will explode through your speakers at 666 MPH, pummeling with ripping solos, breakneck riffs, high octane drumming, and the wildly over the top vocals of the aptly named R Hellshrieker. The character and approach is distinctly ’80s, and while I point to SNM era Slayer as a point of reference, by no means do these ragers ever come off as blatant copy/paste jobs.
Contrasting these reckless headbangers are more traditionally inclined cuts like “Blessed by the Blade” and “A Sacrifice to Satan’s Spawn”, both coming off as devilish, blackened spins on the early ’80s NWOBHM sound. The flashy guitar melodies really akin to Satan and Maiden really drive these bad boys home, and give off that convincing “Denim and Leather” clad approach. As if that wasn’t enough, On Fowl closes with a one-two punch of first wave black metal epics, “A Gypsy’s Tale (Of Sex and Seance)” and “An Ending in Fyre”. While “A Gypsy’s Tale” fuses punishing speed, blackened sorcery, and Mercyful Fate worship into one unpredictable suite, it’s merely a warmup for “An Ending in Fyre”, with its progressive ambition and grandiose aura.
Would I go so far to say On Fowl is a flat out masterpiece like 666 Goats upon first impression? No, but that could change over time, just as my opinion on 666 Goats did. What’s indisputable, however, is the fact that Bütcher are absolutely killing it, blurring the lines between traditional metal’s glory days and extreme metal’s roots. Belgium’s metal heritage remains strong and unshaken in the hands of these devilish mercenaries. They aren’t just keepin’ it hot, but “Flamin’ Hot”, as it should be.
9 out of 10
Label: Osmose Productions
Genre: Black/Speed Metal
For fans of: Slayer, Vulture, Mercyful Fate