Album Review: Sidious – Blackest Insurrection (Clobber Records)

Blackest Insurrection is the third album from formidable UK black metal force, Sidious and a wild, uncompromising paean to tragedy, rebellion, and defiance unto death. It will be released on March 11th, 2022 via Clobber Records.

Black metal in its many forms continues to be a constant and consistent force of intensity. No matter how a band twists and shapes the ferocity we associate with the genre, you can always guarantee that you’re going to hear something that will blow your face off. Often with a malevolent and darkness layering. Often the elements that make a new black metal release all the more interesting. After all, we want bands to shape a familiar style to their own blackened desires.

This is being mentioned because this is what Sidious do. Taking the horrifying, heavy noise of traditional black metal, turning the heat up, and throwing in dashes of eclectic instrumentation, atmosphere, and melodies. Layered so the blistering blasts of blackened fury can still take centre stage.

Sidious are raging here, and they take the listener back to a more primordial time. Where the only way to survive was to fight. Claws, teeth, rocks… fight or die. While moments of peace and quiet are few are far between, the subtle use of atmosphere and occasional melodic drops do make such a battling set of tracks all the more palatable. Far too many times, Sidious shift ever so slightly from non-stop, fast-paced anger to something that has head-banging rhythm. Something that you find you’re able to discern and get into easier, although that isn’t to suggest the absolute vitriolic fire they spew most of the time isn’t simply phenomenal.

Blackest Insurrection proves to be more than an apt title… it’s a statement. One that is delivered with blackened aplomb by this band.

Sidious – Blackest Insurrection Full Track Listing:

1. Blackest Insurrection
2. Blood-Soaked Mist
3. Hailing Shards of Agony
4. Thy Palace Yond the Threshold
5. Thousandfold Will
6. To Know My Kingdom
7. Jewel of the Hadean Crown

Links

Big Cartel | Facebook | Clobber Records