The Fate Worse than Death

Though this album does sound rather typical of the other Thor's Hammer albums, I was not surprised to learn that it was originally recorded from a different collaboration by Capricornus. The shoddy production values, speed laden mid-paced black metal riffs are present and so is the foggy atmosphere but a quality track list is in very short supply here. The title track is the only real standout on The Fate Worse Than Death. That one runs about twelve minutes and the others an average of three minutes and some change. That would be okay if those songs actually delivered on some fleshed out melodies for speed but instead they are just sluggish recitals in rehash, particularly Mayhem. All of these songs however are written, played and fashioned towards that orchestral marching song type beats you will hear which is what I do like but what worked for Graveland and Infernum unfortunately does not for Thor's Hammer's more conventional brand of black metal at least on this album. Go listen to Creed of Iron/Prawo stali and you shall notice that that record suffers from no Capricornus and that this record suffers from lack of Rob Darken contributing in any real way..and both albums have same-y, meandering songs that lead up to a very good epic finale (but I prefer not to compare TFWTD too much with that Graveland album because though it definitely has its flaws, Creed of Iron is far superior as is the band).

I know this album is black metal but it reminds me somewhat of Unleashed's Where No Life Dwells. Simple just how I prefer. Dusky and dirty depressive but with raw aggression just how I like it and with that barren atmosphere which I am inclined to love yet too predictable and leaving me feeling barren in the wrong way. Overall. Again, the title track is something to check out. I will recommend it for that. Though apparently Capricornus did not directly handle the percussion on the album, the drums pummel with same shabby but uber epic folk black metal hits heard on Thousand Swords. That element alone is the force and power that sustains the length of this race baiting epic number. Another addition that works great on the song are the choral synths that back the folk riffs based on that one key. If you liked Thousand Swords as I very much did, there is some salvageability to be found on this otherwise prosaic whole of an album. As far as Thor's Hammer goes though, I recommend you defer to Three Weeds From the Same Root album if you want a better idea of what Capricornus was trying to accomplish.

Hailing from Poland (the land known to be a hotbed of NSBM and Pagan Metal), Thor’s Hammer, now a defunct band, was created by Rob Darken’s blood brother Capricornus. Capricornus classified his music as Horned Metal, well whatever, Thor’s Hammer is like a faster version of Graveland with the technicality of vintage Thrash/Speed Metal bands.

“The Fate Worse Than Death” was released back in 2002, a 7-tracked of anger driven Black Metal (or should I say NSBM?) album, chaotic yet melodic and folkish. Thor’s Hammer had incorporated interesting tempo changes, slow-paced doomy parts plus Speed Metal riffs plus the usual furious Black Metal beats, this arrangement prevents the songs from falling into stagnation and monotony. Capricornus sings with a growling voice using a “inside a bathroom” echoing effects. Capricornus did an outstanding job on the percussion section here. The presence of background keyboards isn’t a surprise since this is another Darken-Capricornus collaboration, I guess the rest of the bands members in this incarnation of Thor’s Hammer will remain unknown due the ludicrous statement at the back of the inlay card which reads: “No line-up, no contact.” By the way, Rob Darken composed the final chapter of this album with his signature ambient heathen electronica Outro. Bravo Rob! Did Rob sample some seagulls squawking here?

Music-wise Capricornus is a talented creature, however, his lyrics contain grammatical and spelling errors, these would surely make Mr. Capricornus’ High School English teacher frown if she finds out about them.

On the production side, this album sounds more like a rehearsal tape, the bass is almost non-existent and it appears that the microphones were installed 40 feet away from the band when they recorded this.

I highly recommend this album, I savor Black Metal taped in a crappy studio, but take heed, Thor’s Hammer’s ideology leans towards the white race supremacy.