Deathhammer - Onward To The Pits

Where there was some disappointment in the latest Aura Noir album, it has been their fellow Norwegian thrashers Deathhammer and Nekromantheon that have hit the mark surprisingly to these ears this year. Deathhammer's latest 'Onward To The Pits' is the pick of the three and for me, their best work yet.

As the cover suggests, it is as if the thrashing music on this flaming assault was being smothered a little by a layer of fire and smoke thanks to the raw production. It can leave the sound feeling a little inconsistent, but perhaps there is a purpose behind it as it helps the album have a more distinguished edge. I guess fire can change pattern and spread in different ways.

Vocally and lyrically, no words will exactly stand out in the songs, but the raw delivery sounds evil and psychotic, especially when they get more high pitched. Listen to the way those blood curdling screams enter the fray. Chilling, torturous. 'FULLMOON SORCERYYYY!', 'VOODOO RIIIIIITES!'. The fire has engulfed Sergeant Salsten, just listen to him.


I find the drumming to be like a thrashing Darkthrone. Even how it sounds. As if it is coming straight from the pits. Dark thudding from the kicks that makes clumps of ash bounce up in time with the thrashing patterns. Thrashing cymbals and snares that sweep the ash up and spread it over the planes.

Then the way those riffs catch on. Very catchy. At times quick and striking, other times clawing its way through the surface before jabbing away. Like rusty razor blades cutting up through the pits and forcing its way through the fire. The raw production does just enough at times to hold these riffs back which might be a bad thing but I like it because when the riffs do break out through the noise it is if they get ahead of the fire and tame it to prove who has the complete edge. Even those twirling notes in some of the riffs are as if the band are twirling burning stakes.

No song really stands out. It is more the way a shriek or catchy riff or solo can hit you out of nowhere in a song which keeps the interest going throughout the album, which can be a good thing at times compared to an album with a handful of awesome songs which can deceive you into thinking an average album is amazing.

I found Deathhammer's previous album 'Phantom Knights' to be smothered and the lo fi production didn't give the music a chance to really break out. It is nice to see that this has changed a lot on 'Onward To The Pits'. Now I can tell that this weapon has real force.

Ikil