BLACK BEAST - Nocturnal Bloodlust

Release date November 8/19 (Primitive Reaction)

Review originally published November 6/19

Time to show some love for a criminally underrated release that easily cracked my Top Ten Albums of 2019 list ...

Some thirteen years after issuing a self-titled debut EP and split record, and subsequently going into hiding somewhere in deepest/darkest Finland, Black Beast now return with an inaugural full length of blackened might. Make no mistake, Nocturnal Bloodlust is a committed black metal effort for the truly hardened elitist of the form. No keyboards, no folk embellishments, no angelic backing vox - just unadulterated pure hate, unequivocally bowing to the horned one.

The production is perfect for this type of fare, guitars thick and forceful, while the roiling drums lead the fray, forcing the listener to lean in against the unceasing pummeling that is being endured. Did I also mention that it's fun? There's a 'Lucifer, Lucifer, Lucifer' chant that'll have you raising the horns in support. And when vocalist Infernal Tormentor Necrocorpse von Demonblood (I don't make this shit up!) lasciviously salivates over his meal stating, "So good and greasy, made of the flesh and entrails of Mammon ... oh, so tasty!" you'll shake your head at how OTT this all is.

Searing. Harrowing. Brilliant.

(8.5)