Bahratal - Kladivo intolerance (2023)
by Flork
Heavy, heavier, heaviest is how Kladivo Intolerence (Hammer of Intolerance) could be summed up. It starts heavy and gets heavier as the tracks progress, an album of grandiose proportions, with particular emphasis placed heavily on the bass and drums. It’s like filling up an old Harley with cheap diesel and hitting the accelerator at full speed. This album rumbles and makes the ground shake.
And if I’m correct, this is the Prague-based band’s first full-length release, although they are hardly new to the black metal scene. Bahratal consists of members from Vole, V0nt and Lezok, and possibly other groups from Prague and Czechia. Yet their brand of black metal is different from their parent groups by choosing to stay away from long, atmospheric or ambient compositions (except for possibly Outro, the closing track). Their sound is fast and hard and reminiscent of a biker gang cruising at high speed. And like their previous Eps, Bahratal dispels any illusions about life satisfaction or a happy, harmonious world, choosing instead to reveal the darkness of the human interior. Also interesting to note is that the overall content is quite “urban”, both lyrically and musically. None of it derives from medieval folklore or legends from the Carpathians, which is typical of the Czech and Slovak brand of black metal themes.
But Bahratal is also a place in Germany and not far from the Czech border. It’s a haven for hikers and rock climbers and perhaps does have a certain mystique to it. In any case, it makes a great name for a hardcore band, something like “battery” or “beating”. And this assault on the senses is alive in all the tracks, you can hear it right off the bat with Zeme lyr a oceli (Earth of Lyre and Steel). This intro is a perfect example of the “heavy, heavier, heaviest” metaphor I began this review with. There’s loads of build-up and major cathartic blow-out around the middle mark, as if the vocals and guitars were unleashed from a dark and foreboding crypt. And the fury remains with the title track and Brambory a chmel (Potatoes and Hops), raw energy and epileptic speed that would send anyone into a seizure (the thunder clap and rain at the end is epic). Baba Vanga (Granny Vanga) is a tad slower and the seamless transition into this track with the haunting bells are no doubt intriguing. Still, this track is no less heavy nor furious than any of the previous tracks. It oozes with painful emotion and unsurprisingly bursts into anger around the 3-minute mark. The vocals are just amazing. Then Demiurguv knir (untranslatable, or possibly Demiurge's mustache according to Google translate) starts very melodic, and for a moment I anticipate a ballad of some sort. But no, it picks up very abruptly after a minute or so and it is here that classic elements of black metal shine brightly. Personally, this is my favourite track on the album because I love the low and high notes of the guitar and the overall composition of this song. Jablko poznani (The Apple of Knowledge) is another amazing track before the album closes quietly with Outro. This is the only place in the album where you will hear ambience and dark moods as it is entirely instrumental without the guitar, bass or drums.
Overall, I give this album high marks for creativity and keeping things as “heavy as possible”. These guys have real talent on their instruments as well as in their song writing. The only complaint I have about Kladivo Intolerence is that it isn’t long enough! Can’t wait to hear more!
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More Bahratal on Jablká ďaleko od stromu:
Dec-2021 Interview ... LINK
Mar-2022 Review ... LINK
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