THE MEADS OF ASPHODEL — The Murder of Jesus The Jew (review)

THE MEADS OF ASPHODEL — The Murder of Jesus The Jew album cover

Album · 2010 · Black Metal

4/5 · 2011-02-27
UMUR

"The Murder of Jesus The Jew" is the 4th full-length studio album by UK experimental extreme metal act The Meads of Asphodel. The album was released in November 2010 by Candlelight Records.

Let me start by saying that this is a very unconventional extreme metal album and I don´t think I´ve yet heard anything quite like it. The music is rooted in black metal but aside from a few raw black metal parts here and there, I wouldn´t call the music black metal at all. I´m stressing this because the band is often labelled avant garde black metal, and I think that might give a wrong impression of how this album sounds. The avant garde part is true to some extent though. In addition to the few black metal and avant garde elements on the album you´ll also be exposed to experimental progressive metal, symphonic sections, folky sections, even a punk section too in "Man From Kerioth" and a crazy concept story about, Oh well you guessed it: "The Murder of Jesus The Jew". There´s a strong comedy element on the album not unlike the weird humour of Monty Python ( when they start talking about "Genital Warts" I´m choking with laughter) and there are several similarities between the concept on this album and "The Life of Brian". Actually also musically. Take a listen to the middle part of "Addicted to God" to see what I mean. So put aside all expectations of an "evil" sounding extreme metal album. This one is sure to leave you with a high spirit and a smile on your face.

It´s not a flawless album though and I have to admit it´s taken me a while to fully appreciate the album and also to get through the 63:42 minutes of playing time. First of all the production is a bit thin and not always professional sounding. Some of the ideas in the songs aren´t always presented in the most tasteful manner either but there´s an irresistible charm to the proceedings that makes up for some of the shortcomings. Take a listen to the varied vocal delivery as an example of something that really works well on the album. While most vocals on the album are delivered in a raw semi-growling style ( easily decipherable) there are both raspy black metal type vocals and some really skillfully executed clean vocal parts too. Actually the latter style vocal delivery impress me a lot. The above mentioned middle part of "Addicted to God" with it´s call and response and multi harmony vocals really made me listen a bit more closely to the album.

So all in all a very intriguing album that I can safely say greatly surprised me. I was a bit reluctant towards the album to start with but it´s grown on me and still does. If you want to listen to something that´s definitely not in the book, I can recommend a purchase of "The Murder of Jesus The Jew". A 3.5 - 4 star rating is deserved. I´m gonna go with a full 4 star rating though as I think bold experimentation and innovation deserves recognision.