SERPENT CULT - Raised By Wolves CD Review

ARTIST: Serpent Cult
TITLE: Raised By Wolves
YEAR: 2011
LABEL: Listenable Records
REVIEWED BY: Caroline Restiaux

The Belgium power trio Serpent Cult have recently released their first album sans vocalist Michelle Nocon who left the band more than a year ago. The concept of a 'front woman' has completely dissolved with 'Raised By Wolves' which has 4 memorizing tracks that span over a 38 minute period.

When listening to the album for the first time I was eminently relaxed. I felt unexpectedly calm even with the gloomy atmosphere looming over my head. I sensed a positive vibe from the music, not the negative or dark one that is often associated with doom metal. It is easy to see that the band has chosen not to take the easy way out by just making a follow up to 'Weight Of Light', they have gone the extra mile to create a timeless piece of material. The album is eclectic, different from most in the metal genre and is still able to maintain a certain versatility.

The first track starts off with an emphasis on raindrops and a crow cawing in the distance which then carries in to a sombre background with the same guitar riff playing over and over hroughout the song. Together with the continuous riff the other instruments kick in to bring the song to it's climax only to fall back into rain this time with accompanying thunder. 'Crippled And Frozen' is one of the two instrumentals on the album which starts off where the title track ends. This song has a much more rhythmic feel to it and is more complementing to the bands talent in which every instrument played has a distinct and personal feel to it. The other two tracks breathe a life of their own coupled with the final track 'Growth Of The Soil' embracing a more of a black metal presence. The album is centered around the theme of individualism so one can't help but to feel a bit uplifted once the final track has come to a close.

The modern metal scene rarely gets the chance to promote such a scarcely explored genre and I am happy that I have a chance to share this with you. I feel that the cd was very well thought out from the cover of the album to every single note in the songs. 'Raised By Wolves' is a captivating piece of work! It is geared towards those who enjoy sludge / doom and black metal. If you have not yet had a chance to explore this band, now is a great time to do so.

TRACKLISTING:

01. Raised By Wolves
02. Crippled And Frozen
03. Longing For Hyperborea
04. Growth Of The Soil