As a reviewer, you listen to a lot of bands and releases, but only few bands really leave a lasting memory in your mind. Hellterror League are definitely one of those bands; formed in 2012 in Alessandria, Italy, Hellterror League unleashed for the first time their devastating black'n roll in 2013 with the EP For Satan We Ride. In 2015, the Italian act released its first full-length Hell-Qaeda Rock'n'Roll, a very programmatic title that suggests a lot about the style of this band.
We could describe the style of Hellterror League as a fusion of traditional, harsh black metal and punk; this punk element gives rage and adrenaline to the whole, but at the same time, I feel that there is also a certain irony. Take for example the first song of the album titled “World Whore III” that starts with the raging yell “La guerra più totale!” (Most Total War) and ends with another self-ironic yell “Io direi di andare a sentire un altro brano di questo capolavoro!” (I would say let’s go and listen to another song of this masterpiece). I would say that the lyrical themes also are inspired to punk: blasphemy, but also alcohol, violence, prostitutes. In this regard, I want to mention the fifth song “Alcoholichrist”, in which Jesus is portrayed as an alcoholic hobo addicted to prostitution. The production of this album is also somewhat punkish with its raw but essential and straightforward sound.
To conclude, Hell-Qaeda Rock'n'Roll is a refreshing and acute album that rejuvenates the clichés of black metal. Highly recommended.
Notes:
Hell-Qaeda Rock'n'Roll was released on November 22 2015 on 40 Dead Records. After this album, Hellterror League participated with a track in the split with Japanese pornogrind act Hiroshima Sex Bomb released on July 27 2016.
Tracklist:
1. World Whore III
2. Headbangers from Hell
3. Dead Girls Don't Say No
4. Like Vultures in Heaven
5. Alcoholichrist
6. Jack Devil's (Old N°666 Brand)
7. Motordemon
8. March of the Untermenschen
Personnel:
Christbeater: Bass, Vocals
Tony Rocky Horror: Drums, Vocals (backing)
LK Nekromorbid: Guitars, Vocals
Text by Herjann
herjann@unholyblackmetal.com
We could describe the style of Hellterror League as a fusion of traditional, harsh black metal and punk; this punk element gives rage and adrenaline to the whole, but at the same time, I feel that there is also a certain irony. Take for example the first song of the album titled “World Whore III” that starts with the raging yell “La guerra più totale!” (Most Total War) and ends with another self-ironic yell “Io direi di andare a sentire un altro brano di questo capolavoro!” (I would say let’s go and listen to another song of this masterpiece). I would say that the lyrical themes also are inspired to punk: blasphemy, but also alcohol, violence, prostitutes. In this regard, I want to mention the fifth song “Alcoholichrist”, in which Jesus is portrayed as an alcoholic hobo addicted to prostitution. The production of this album is also somewhat punkish with its raw but essential and straightforward sound.
To conclude, Hell-Qaeda Rock'n'Roll is a refreshing and acute album that rejuvenates the clichés of black metal. Highly recommended.
Notes:
Hell-Qaeda Rock'n'Roll was released on November 22 2015 on 40 Dead Records. After this album, Hellterror League participated with a track in the split with Japanese pornogrind act Hiroshima Sex Bomb released on July 27 2016.
Tracklist:
1. World Whore III
2. Headbangers from Hell
3. Dead Girls Don't Say No
4. Like Vultures in Heaven
5. Alcoholichrist
6. Jack Devil's (Old N°666 Brand)
7. Motordemon
8. March of the Untermenschen
Personnel:
Christbeater: Bass, Vocals
Tony Rocky Horror: Drums, Vocals (backing)
LK Nekromorbid: Guitars, Vocals
Text by Herjann
herjann@unholyblackmetal.com
