By Justin C.
Artwork by Drowned Orange.
While discussing this album with a friend, an obvious question came up: What
the hell is a toadeater? The interwebs
provided the answer:
"Originally, a charlatan's helper who ate (or pretended to eat) poisonous
toads so that his employer could display his prowess in expelling the poison."
So, an appropriately bleak moniker for a black metal band, with bonus points
because they avoided using phrases like "necro" and "goat."
The band's second full length, Bit to ewigen daogen, starts off with
the standard mood-setting, instrumental opener. To be honest, I’ve gotten a
bit tired of this widespread pattern, but I have to give kudos to the band
here for melodically tying the intro into the first track, which is much
better than the usual, formless fare found in these. From there, we're off to
the races with "Conquering the Throne," which immediately sets the band apart
from a sea of melodic black metal. The song somehow manages to straddle the
line between thin and frosty and a meatier, fuller sound. The driving energy
reminds me of late-period Woe, with a punk-like aggression. The lyrics come
barked out, syllable by syllable, directly on the beat while a guitar plays a
chiming line above. It’s not long before the band breaks to a different
direction, opening up to an airier sound while the drums and (audible) bass
plow on. It’s a barn-burner of a track that maintains the momentum while
giving space to compelling melodic lines.
"Crows and Sparrows" covers similar territory, but adding in some far-off,
clean sing-chanting that actually manages to not sound trite or cheesy.
"Returning the Crown" does a similar trick--it keeps the band’s core sound and
energy, but also mixes in some influences that remind me of The Cure or
Depeche Mode. That gothic/new wave-y sound wouldn’t necessarily be up my
alley, but the band absorbs and incorporates it in an organic way that somehow
makes those sounds seem like a natural fit in with the maelstrom.
The album comes in a little on the short side for this genre--just 36 minutes
and change--but the upside is that the band doesn’t wear out their welcome.
Without the lyrics, I can’t say if the band is pro- or anti-toad eating, but
regardless of your own predilections, you should give this album a spin with
whatever snack you prefer.
