Register Forgot login?

© 2002-2024
Encyclopaedia Metallum

Privacy Policy

Haat > Recidivus in Obscurum > Reviews
Haat - Recidivus in Obscurum

Redicvlovs Obscuremuck: Ildjarn Copycat - 15%

Tzeench, January 10th, 2009

After reading and hearing much about this so-called one-man project from Holland, I figured I’d give Haat a listen and see if I like them. After all, I’m already an avid fan of Funeral Winds, Unlord, Sauron, Lugubre, and Cirith Gorgor just to mention a few honourable names. So I figure, what’s one more worth a listen? It must be good. Alas, my naiveté was my foolish assumption. Yet again, I made another mistakable download that has made my blooper reel.

Haat being a one-man project unfortunately; for Jeoren – the man behind the band – can’t play actual drums and unfortunately his guitar riffing isn’t much better to enhance the evocative forces of darkness on this album, which at immediate hearing give this album an immediate mediocre rating of uniformed, oversimplified, plagiarised black metal.

The first track is probably the only decent, worthwhile song piece on the entire album. As much as the guitars and bass are real, they all sound far too “tin-y” and “synth-y,” like the guitars were almost MIDI sequenced through cheap computer software. The drums are a dead giveaway that it’s a machine. The majority of songs drone on and on with rather ultra-generic and doldrum riffs in a cyclic entropy with no direction in the end. The added CB-radio distortion and fuzz simply add more irritation to my ears and more agitation to my sense of boredom.

Even more unimpressive is how few songs on the entire album actually have lyrics and vocals. Some songs being only slightly over two minutes feel long-winded and super-repetitive without any vocals or lyrics to speed up the sense of timing. On top of that is even more filler consisting of your run-of-the-mill ambient keyboard sound effects interludes. Just to make the album longer, slip in more “demonic” sounding interludes of ambience and hope it adds to the atmosphere, yada, yada, yada….

The overall theme of the album is an extremely blatant rip-off of Ildjarn and to a lesser extent – from it’s repetitiveness – a rip-off of Von – not just with the cover song either. In fact, that’s pretty much what one Hessian connoisseur could call this album – “Ildjarn Jr.” A lot like ‘Minnesjord: The Dark Soil, Part II,” but more trance inducing and flat, void of any sense of feeling or direction.

I’m not surprised this band is defunct, like so many half-assed “isolationist” acts. Check my review on Hills of Sefiroth for reference. Most of these so-called bands can’t and don’t play or compose well, unless it’s Xasthur or Leviathan.

In just one night of listening, I’ve already deleted this album from my music library. Stick with REAL Dutch black metal bands with a REAL FULL LINEUP.

With pure hate - 97%

DuskLord, June 1st, 2004

"Recidivus In Obscurum" is a brilliant release, which has been in my player for ages now. It sounds different from other nowadays bm-acts. Heavy influence has been taken from Ildjarn, that is clearly audible.

Starting from the first second, this album provides the listener with fast, very minimalistic and lo-fi (in the true meaning of that word) black metal. Drummachine is played very much in the same and simple spirit as in Ildjarn/Nidhogg-releases. The guitar plays simple, minimalistic but very effective riffs all the way, without any technical bullshit. Haat's screams are excellent and well-fit for the music. All instruments, vocals and music are composed by one man who goes by the name Haat.

Negative things... The interludes featuring synth and random noises, I've never understood those in any albums. And the drumming/guitars could use a bit more synchronization in some parts, though I'm guessing that desync was made/left in purposely... After all, this IS very primitive and lofi.

Standout tracks : "Vit Pure Haat", "Inside My Forest Dwelling", "Branding Iron", "The Elemental's Revenge".

Overall an excellent bm-release and Haat's best release, well worth the money (if you can even find it anymore). This is one of the few albums which have a lot of repeat-value for me, I never get bored with these songs. Would've gotten a full 100 points without the interludes.