Craft
Fuck The Universe
5.2
Synopsis:
A considerably drab album from a band that has otherwise produced high quality, mid-paced Black Metal.
Review:
Sweden’s Craft have always been a bit of a ‘red-headed-step-child’ as far as the Black Metal scene’s concerned. For whatever reason, many genre purists have been quick to criticize the Swede’s take on mid-paced Black Metal. I’ve never quite understood the problem, personally. In the past, Craft have generally forsaken a lot of the speedier elements of Black Metal for more of a Celtic Frost-ian approach, but I’d hardly consider that a problem. I’ve also read numerous gripes of Dark Throne cloning, but that’s too easy a stone to cast, in my opinion. I can certainly see similarities to Ravishing Grimness, but honestly, there are tons of Black Metal bands out there today that hold elements of Dark Throne in their sound. Anyway, all possible reasoning aside, I think Craft’s Terror Propaganda and Total Soul Rape are both great, filthy, mid-paced Black Metal slabs, especially the latter, so to hell with what the purists say.
But I digress; this isn’t a review of Craft, right? It’s a review of their latest album, Fuck The Universe. So, that being said, how does this album stack up against the first two fine offerings? I'm afraid the news is grim. Right off the bat you’ll notice a much cleaner sound to the material, which is about as welcome as a hangover in the late afternoon, as far as I’m concerned. Craft without filth is like ordering a brat without sauerkraut…why bother if it ain’t a little messy? It was exactly those muddy, slightly fucked up riffs and breakdowns that helped keep things interesting in their previous efforts. Now they just sound like a much more sterile version of Khold.
It’s not just the production and overall sound putting the stops on this release, however. The songwriting on Fuck The Universe is really flat as well. Apart from the title track, which admittedly has a pretty damned catchy rhythm and chorus hook, things are far too dull and drawn out from song to song. Tracks like “According To Him”, “Demonspeed”, and “Principium Anguis” begin and end with absolutely no flare, venom, or life, and hardly warrant the album a permanent place in any Black Metal fans ‘to play’ pile.
Fuck the Universe really bummed me out. I know Craft have potential. Their first two full-lengths more than prove it. Unfortunately, this release is a serious step back, and therefore not recommended. I sincerely hope they get back on track with their next release.
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