Maniac Butcher - Cerná Krev
Pussy God Records
Black Metal
7 songs (34:56)
Release year: 1998
Maniac Butcher
Reviewed by Tony
Archive review

After reading the review for the latest Maniac Butcher, Masakr, and hearing about their no nonsense brand of straight to the point Black Metal I became intrigued. I had to Czech them out (double entendre) Despite their slightly above average scores, I searched the name on Youtube and came up with the first song I chose from this album, 1998’s Cerna Krev. Maniac Butcher of the Czech Republic are made up of only two musicians at the current time. And judging by the cover, featuring the two leaders, Barbarud and Blasphemer, this is the way it has been. As a side note, the cover is kind of silly, as Barbarud has auburn brown hair that in no way matches his corpse paint.

When hearing about this straight up pure and relentless Black Metal I undoubtedly worried that this would be nothing but blast beats for an entire album. I could not be more wrong. Yes, there are a number of passages involving a heavy emphasis on blast beats. But the variation and numerous drum beats make the album so much better than it may have been had it not been constructive. Don’t get me wrong, this is an album that’s rooted in blast beats, but there are groove moments that create a feel of true old school Black Metal.

If you did not read my awesome double entendre earlier, Maniac Butcher are from the Czech Republic. They are one of the true stalwarts of a burgeoning scene, and by releasing Masakr they further cemented their legacy as a top act in the region. With Maniac Butcher the listener knows what they are getting. A power oriented, intense and harrowing act with enough songwriting capability to balance with their musical talent. Cerna Krev is my first and only introduction to Maniac Butcher, and with this record and the resume of so many other Eastern European bands, I will continue my quest for enhancing my fast growing collection in this region of Europe.

So why not start off with a bang? So many Black Metal albums of this variety start off with a scorching riff hovering over a base mold of heavy blast beats. The songs are in Czech but have simple translations. The titles of the songs are nearly all full sentences. Proper translations are available on Encyclopedia Metallum. Lùza Okolní, Chátra Všeobecná, Jakož I Veškerá Chamraï Nepotøebná is the first track. Don’t ask me what it means. It is a strong and violent track laden with well crafted blast beats. One of the finest aspects of Cerna Krev are the absolutely venomous vocals performed by Barbarud. They are some of the most angered, irritable, and somehow clear vocals (if you speak Czech). The second track is one of those that starts off with a few slower seconds to begin the song, when a nice riff is played slow. Subsequently the firing off of the blast beats ensues like the machine guns at Gallipoli. The same riff is tremolo picked; an ages old but so effective trick in Black Metal. This track, Rada Užiteèná, Kterak Stáøí Dožíti, A Taktéž Doporuèení Vhodné Pro Život A Pøežití is another strong song.

For a very underground Black Metal album, the production on Cerna Krev is surprisingly a strength. For example, I prefer listening to Black Metal when I drive on Alligator Alley, a South Florida highway traversing East and West with no lights and no paramedics or cops within miles. I have to cross this treacherous nightmare every weekend that I return home back East. Most Black Metal is impossible to listen to over the din of the road meeting my tires, similarly to the sound made by airplane engines. Cerna Krev is as clear as a winter morning here in Florida, which automatically vaults it to a top notch album in terms of production given the circumstances.

Intermezzo is a simple interlude of clean electric guitar with periodic inserts of simple drum patterns. I have always loved this method, where Maniac Butcher build a beautiful break in the madness. As you lull to relaxation, the finest (IMO) track and the first song I heard in my Youtube introduction. Known shortly on that video title as Bloodlust, Zíznìní Po Krvi, Však Všeobecnì Známému Vampyrismu Ne Zcela Podobné is everything that makes Maniac Butcher such a powerful act. Starting with an infectious riff and textbook blast beats, that quickly cascades into double bass and an even more beastly riff. Then goes back to the blasts. This continues until a simple drum rhythm and sweeping riff form a groove moment that is possibly my favorite part of the album.

The differentiation of the rhythm section and the classic riff structure makes Cerna Krev a fine album. Just when you think their straight up form of Black Metal would be too typical of Black Metal to be anything special, a new rhythmic wrinkle enters the picture and dazzles you with creativity. A true gem of the Czech scene, Cerna Krev is a must for anyone who wants a balls out gutsy performance by two veterans of the genre.

Killing Songs :
Lùza Okolní, Chátra Všeobecná, Jakož I Veškerá Chamraï Nepotøebná, Rada Užiteèná, Kterak Stáøí Dožíti, A Taktéž Doporuèení Vhodné Pro Život A Pøežití, Zíznìní Po Krvi, Však Všeobecnì Známému Vampyrismu Ne Zcela Podobné
Tony quoted 87 / 100
Other albums by Maniac Butcher that we have reviewed:
Maniac Butcher - Masakr reviewed by Goat and quoted 84 / 100
Maniac Butcher - Barbarians reviewed by Goat and quoted 78 / 100
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