Album Review: Subterraen – Rotten Human Kingdom (Transcending Obscurity Records)

French sludge/doom metal band Subterraen will release their new album Rotten Human Kingdom via Transcending Obscurity Records on November 20th, 2020.

Four tracks that come in at nearly 50 minutes, Subterraen’s new album is a colossal sludge/doom offering. The weight of this band’s depressive sound crushing the bones into dust and turning the senses into dribbling mush.

This is horror. Grimy and uncomfortable horror in sickening form. One that drips in atmosphere and dread from the very start with Blood for the Blood Gods. With dreary and excruciatingly drawn out rumbling guitars leading the way, the pound of the percussion and nightmarish vocals add even more ‘oomph’ to proceedings.

This is not a track (or record) that will make you feel anything but utter despondency.

For A Fistful of Silver has its feet in the world of black metal initially but quickly descends into the subterranean depths of doom this band inhabits. The ferocity in the vocals, distant and horrifying, is truly startling. An experience that lasts for nearly 15 minutes and will leave many shaking in cold fear.

The penultimate track, Oceans are Rising serves as a bridge between the former track and final track, Wrath of a Downtrodden Planet. At 2:34, it’s the shortest effort and aims to make things even more uncomfortable with its echoing guitar melody.

Which brings things to a humongous ending. Standing at over 18 minutes long, Wrath of a Downtrodden Planet is as eye-watering and teeth-gritting as you’d no doubt expect. Subterraen moving at pace that makes everything feel so sticky and slow, so when it does begin to increase in tempo, it almost feels freeing. Suddenly there’s a flash of energy, as much as this band can muster, and the senses come alight. The dulled feeling caused by the molasses covered doom is replaced briefly by an urgent need to move.

Briefly though, as no matter how much movement is encouraged, it inevitably starts to sink back into the mire. By the end, all air will be expelled and suffocation is on the cards.

Subterraen – Rotten Human Kingdom Full Track Listing:

1. Blood for the Blood Gods
2. For a Fistful of Silver
3. Oceans are Rising
4. Wrath of a Downtrodden Planet

Links

Bandcamp | Facebook | Transcending Obscurity Records