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KULT OFENZIVY
Nauky různic

Iron Bonehead (2014)
Rating: 7.5/10

With a moniker that translates as “cult of the offensive”, Czech Republic black metallers Kult Ofenzivy returns with its third outing… and about time too! It was 2009 when this mysterious bunch released their sophomore opus, Radikální Ateismus – Tvůrcům Nadčlověka, which came just two years after 2007’s debut Symfonie Oceli. In a sense, because of the gap, Nauky různic exists as a separate entity; boasting five parts entitled ‘Pt I: Do deju vstupovat a stavby, v narušenost sten…’, ‘Pt II: Osudove naplnen údaji chorob nemohoucnosti…’, ‘Pt III: Na jiné prísahat a k temto nemít pojítek a lan…’, ‘Pt IV: Kde uloženy zákaz, neústupnost a touha s nimi nesdílet?’ and ‘Pt V: Cožpak ta nejvetší díla vznikají z nedbalosti?’, all of which boast that tinny, under-produced guitar tone which one would expect from such raw, primitive black metal.

However, what sets Kult Ofenzivy aside from the countless other clans is the vocals which are a peculiar, gnarled narration which sort of act in complete contrast to the racing, lo-fi rhythm section.

Best described as “acidic black metal”, Kult Ofenzivy rattles through this 20-or-so-minute project as if their lives depended on it; the percussion is delivered with almost bland haste, clearly in keeping with that emotionless yet mocking underground black metal ethos I’ve come to know and love over the years. Yes, there is that major issue of where the tracks seem to melt into one another, but that’s the whole purpose if you ask me of stuff like this; it’s just no-holds barred, bass-bereft gruelling, smirking black metal played for real and driven by that ashen backdrop of racing drums which every now and then veer into a welcome tumble before returning to type, and then of course they complement that sneering guitar racket. And it goes on and on, following the same path as a grey landscape to promote the foetid vocal gurgles.

This is minimalistic extreme metal at its finest. Of course, to some it may appear as something so stark and bereft of life that it makes for an unbearable listen, but in an age where so many alleged “real” black metal bands are cavorting with glossy production we need the pure, esoteric charms of Kult Ofenzivy to bring us down to earth. And while it may be rather difficult upon first listen to differentiate between tracks, the no frills qualities shine through like a lighthouse battling with a swirling fog.

Nauky různic is about as cold and caustic as black metal gets, and you’ll be left clutching your throat in agony long after this one has left its burning frost upon your oesophagus.

Neil Arnold

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