Blood & Valour

After releasing one of the best extreme metal albums in Australia’s history, Bestial Warlust didn’t waste anytime sulking in their relative underground success down under. Instead they hit the studio the next year to create a follow-up to the masterpiece that was “Vengeance War Till Death.” The result was the equally diabolical sophomore record “Blood & Valour,” a record that will not disappoint fans of the band’s previous work, but will offend just about everyone else. With the departure of axe master KK Warslut and bassist Corpsemolester, it’s incredible to see how well this album came out. Less than a year later with two new members in the fold, but that is just a testament to how good Bestial Warlust is.

Riff-wise, the songs on this album aren’t much different from those on the predecessor. There’s a lot of tremolo picking throughout, with the most notable flurries of rapid-riffage being on “…Till the End” and the insane “I, the Warrior.” “Legion of Wrath” is one hell of a headbanger, due to the awesome midpaced riffs that give the listener a breath of fresh air from the constant tremolos. The incredible instrumental “Within the Storm” features some of Bestial Warlust’s best riffs, as well as some of the best songwriting skills from this Aussie horde. “Prelude: Descention Hells Blood” is the most evil track in this band’s arsenal, right up there with “Satanic” from the debut. The song starts with a haunting clean intro and some wind sound effects, only for the serenity to cease once those heavy power chords hit and the wicked tremolos return.

While I don’t find this record to be better than the band’s debut, there is one significant upgrade on “Blood & Valour.” The production. This music is still undeniably old-school and the production is still pretty shit compared to modern standards (then again, who would want to listen to pure savagery like this with modern production?), but all of the instruments sound so much clearer than they did back in ‘94. The drumming doesn’t take over the music, as the riffs are clearly heard despite Hellcunt’s relentless performance behind the kit. And Bloodstorm’s vocals are still in top form as he brings a violent and barbaric edge to the already brutal music. Bestial Warlust is one of the reasons why Australia’s scene is beyond amazing, and their influence is irrefutable because of classics like “Vengeance War Till Death” and “Blood & Valour.”

Highlights
“Death Rides Out”
“…Till the End”
“I, the Warrior”

Originally written for Nightmare Reality Webzine.
nightmarerealitywebzine.blogspot.com

One anno later, the hellish minions regrouped and recalculated their assault upon the pearly gates of taste and heaven. Over a feast of charbroiled and barbecued angel wings and cherubim fat, the plan was to recruit two new bastard motherfuckers for the guitar and bass, as Corpsemolester and K.K. Warslut were finally, completely consumed by the fiery flames (well, the latter faked it and went on with his other affront against God, Deströyer 666). Enter Battleslaughter, master of sharpened axes, and Fiend of the Deep, his bludgeoning counterpart. Infernal communion was taken, a pact of virgins blood and ill intentions, and then the band churned out the superior and cult worthy sophomore effort Blood & Valor.

The style here was not largely different than Vengeance War Till Death. Still a mix of black and death metal extremity, leaning towards the former, but what stands out here is the great production. Where the previous work was simply the back alley metal band of downtown Hades, this new Bestial Warlust were equipped to rock the finest underground clubs and tear the ears from their listeners, leaving them wanting even more. Damon Bloodstorm's vocals here took on more of a direct, malevolent hostility, though maintaining the previous tones. On a scale of all things evil and punishing in Australia, Blood & Valor ranks up there with Hobbs' Angel of Death, Ivan Milat and Sadistik Exekution.

The title track is de-Christened in noisy feedback before the thriving black/death rhythms erupt. A lot less start and stop of the drums here, Hellcunt has his shit together and just steamrolls you for pretty much the entire album. "Death Rides Out" follows, an entirely sinister piece which is probably one of my favorite tracks from the band. Driving, uncompromising, with vocal slather which feels as if the devil were a cannibalistic inmate at some backwater prison, just escaped and is taunting and devouring every person he encounters. Stopping for a cigarette (before lifting the grate and throwing the lit butt down into the reservoir), we hear the acoustic holocaust winds that introduce "Prelude: Descention Hells Blood", another pretty damn good song with some acidic guitar work and sheer hostile intent. "Barbaric Horde" features some solid grinding black ethics, but I didn't get much out of it aside from the expected feeling of having been bulldozed. "...'till the End" has some chaotic vitriol in the chorus, and the bridge rhythm is quite lovingly disgusting with the way the vocals interact over the chords. And then, at about 1:20, the song unveils its hidden evil with an excellent riff.

Striving through the distant land
Through storms of fire
In search of a battle unforgotten
The one we desire
Lost is the force of will
Our pride still defies
We shall forge on relentless
Even till the end of time

The lyrics here almost feel subdued compared to some of the previous album, yet another field in which Bestial Warlust have improved. "Within the Storm" is a 5:30 instrumental track, and while pretty good, it might not have suffered for vocals. It does have some moments of careening leads, and morose melodies; perhaps the choice was made to forego lyrics and slowly build and highlight these specific parts. "Legion of Wrath" opens with a volley of fists and a brief, bloody shredding over the surge of guitars. This is pure fucking warfare, and another of the Australian band's most excellent songs. Simple, violent and effective, much like the following "Orgy of Souls (Hallowed Night)", though it blasts a little harder, flesh eroding flesh like a witch who has been knocking leather boots with the devil for too long. "I the Warrior" is a grim march into oblivion for both the album and the band, though it strikes hard and fast with some chaotic riffing and unforgiving drum work.

They would release one further demo (and a song on the Headbangers Against Disco Vol. 1 split with Sabbat, Infernö, and Gehennah), but a few years after Blood & Valor, it was all the end for Bestial Warlust. But the band ended their career on a high note, as Blood & Valor completely crushes their debut album. Sure, it's a little less hilarious, and it has a few tracks which lag behind the rest, but this is a bonafide classic of early Australian extreme metal, and should do well by any fan of the band's constituents (Abominator, Cemetary Urn, Gospel of the Horns, Deströyer 666, and so forth).

Highlights: Prelude: Descention Hells Blood, ...'Till the End, Within the Storm, Legion of Wrath

-autothrall
http://www.fromthedustreturned.com

Bestial Warlust is one of those bands that are timeless to me. And while Blood & Valour doesn't quite live up to "Vengeance War 'till Death", it's still a brutal, overpowering slab of raw-as-can-be black metal. The production isn't by any means great, but it isn't as crappy as everyone makes it out to be. What impresses me is the presence of some pretty killer guitar solos! These guys are just competent enough at playing their instruments to stand above most raw black metal acts, but don't get the wrong idea, the music is still fast and devastating with no signs of needless wanking. The best song on the entire album is "Within the Storm." It kills! If you like Aussie war metal, or just raw, aggressive, black metal in general, then this album is absolutely essential! Your collection is nothing without it! And make sure you pick up or burn a copy of "Vengeance War 'til Death" while you're at it. BESTIAL WARLUST OWNS!!!!!!!!!

Absolutely aweful. That's the only way I could describe this 34 minute foray into the underworld of human creativity. Holy shit. I'm trying to write this while listening to the album, and IT'S FUCKING IMPOSSIBLE TO DO SO! I can't think, I can hardly breathe because of this wall of Australian fury pounding through my headphones. This is the most offensive CD I've ever come across, not because I'm "moral" by any means, but because I'm a musician.

Think of 3 or 4 riffs consisting of any 4 chords in ascending or descending order. Throw them in random order. Add a blastbeat under that. Now scream random shit about being God or something. Congratulations! You just made a Bestial Warlust song. Make sure you record it into that Talkboy you got for Christmas in 3rd grade, no room for good production here. Is there even a bass? The entire album sounds weak.

And about those guitars, it sounds like sometimes the pick is being brought down on the string at an angle, creating a sloppy scraping sound with every strummed 16th note.

And that singing! I have pretty broad tolerances for vocals. The only think I can't stand are those whining "hardcore" vocals you'll hear in Atreyu, and the crap you hear on Blood & Valour. Not only are these screams the crappiest sounding in recent memory, they're off beat (is there a beat?).

The only redeeming quality I can find about Blood & Valour is its potential as a torture device. Friend won't loan you some money? B&V to the rescue! Afraid your house will be broken into? Rig up B&V to play when somebody tries to break in! Problem solved. I think of Blood & Valour much in the same way I'd think of industrial solvents, or a hamster. Amusing, maybe even useful, but worthwhile? Hardly.