TMW ALBUM OF THE MONTH:
BAEST – “NECRO SAPIENS“ (March 5th, 2021. Century Media Records.)
Denmark’s Baest are rising steadily towards the position of the dominant predator in the Death Metal scene. Their third full album is a big step ahead in more or less all the areas and it was quite an easy pick for the Album of the Month title for March 2021 in the crypts of The Metal Wanderlust.
The staff had a chat (and a shout) about it:
Rotnoxnatl: While Baest conjure forth the undead with no shortage of crushing riffs and deep growled vocals, the clear star on “Necro Sapiens” is drummer Sebastian Abildsten. From the first hits on “Genesis” to the drum heavy intros of “Abattoir” and the closing track “Sea of Vomit,” it’s the drumming that really drew me in and made me listen closer to this album. Several times, when the guitars are going at lightning speed, instead of matching that speed with a blast beat, Abildsten holds the slow(er) steady groove beneath the chaos.
VUK: I agree with this very much. Particularly on “Sea of Vomit.” This dude is having a great deal of fun kicking all of our asses! A few things to know about “Necro Sapiens” before you hit play:
First of all, if you’re wearing headphones, now would be a good time to rethink that choice. As much as this album needs to be heard by as many people as possible, it does not give a shit about your precious eardrums! Also, you know that thing people say about riffs? How there is no such thing as too many, and they can ever be too heavy? Yeah, chuck that little gem out the window, too. I know! Craziness!
This album is, as many great things are, dangerous. You will want to play it loudly, on multiple occasions, and in places not everybody thinks Death Metal is socially appropriate. Like… libraries. I do not believe it is possible to pick a favorite song, partially because I’m afraid if I do, Baest will come to my house and break all my shit. However, “Purification for Mutilation” wouldn’t be a terrible pick.
Your Grouchy Friend: LISTEN, VUK! MY EARDRUMS ARE JUST FUCKING FINE THANK YOU! BAEST AND THE LOW END ON AN OLD PAIR OF BEATS PROS WASN’T ENOUGH TO HURT ME! WHAT? WHAT WAS THAT? HUH?
OH, I’M NOT SHOUTING!
VUK: Remember what I said, kids. Don’t let this be you.
Hayduke X: So, I don’t even like much Death Metal… Unless it’s Death Metal the way Baest is doing it on this album. The sound is so incredibly burly. The tones are reminiscent of classic OSDM, but somehow still have a fresh sound. The rhythms are dynamic with creative drumming and bass work that gets slightly funky sometimes. The lead work is refreshing. Vocals are decipherable growls that are nasty without burying the message. There’s enough groove to get your head banging. Basically everything in moderation in ten superbly composed tracks. Woof! Spin it again.
Your Grouchy Friend: SO, HAYDUKE X SEEMED TO SAY SOMETHING ABOUT NOT LIKING DEATH METAL… MUST BE MY EARS. IT TURNS OUT THEY’RE UTTERLY FUCKED AND BAEST, DR DRE AND APPLE ARE BLOODY WELL RESPONSIBLE. I WILL POST THE SPECIFIC ALLEGATIONS FURTHER BELOW.
Your Grouchy Friend: Firstly, please afford me the time to express a not-quite-apology for my shouting. If you took offense that is regrettable. Apparently some were displeased.
Secondly to Dre (MD): The attuning of your head phones to a Hip Hop audience places Death Metal fans at risk of hearing impairment. Low end embellishment and presence has resulted in my ears being Bæsted into oblivion. The double kick mayhem of “Abattoir” filled the headphone cups with my innocent blood. Blood that is on your hands. My people will be in touch.
Thirdly to Apple: As the co-owner of Beats you have pushed this product to a wider and unsuspecting customer base. Shame on you. You will also be hearing from my people.
Fourthly to Baest: What a ripper of an album. I have bled for you as you bleed for your craft. Warning labels don’t come better than titling a song “Goregasm” – The odds were strong it was going to be both brutal and groove laden. You did not disappoint and despite the pain, I thank and salute you. “Towers of Suffocation” continued the onslaught and even through the pain I needed more. As I write I realize that the album from its mid-point is like a run away freight train: Heavy, bringing the goods, and lurching dangerously at every turn. Baest, I’d like to send you flowers. Bless you and your evil glory.
Sincerely, Your Grouchy Friend.
Now, there you go folks. The flowers are in the mail, some ears are still bleeding and our staff are staring into the distance with the look of a people who have just had a great meal, or a nasty case of a good, hard old banging… Death Metal banging, that is. We don’t want to send any weird messages here. No. That is not who we are. We are a responsible site with clear messages and barely any shouting. So, at the end of the album of the month run, we’d like to thank you dear people for reading and let you know that WHAT EVER YOU ARE DOING RIGHT NOW, YOU SHOULD STOP IT. YES, STOP IT!! TURN YOUR SPEAKERS TO MAX AND LET YOUR NEIGHBOURS ENJOY THE FULL ON ONSLAUGHT OF BAEST! WHAT?! YES!! BAEST!! WHY?! AS IT IS A BEAST OF AN ALBUM! BEAST!! BEST!! THAT’S WHY!!
Hey, Grouchy!! Watch out for that train… nooooooooooo!!!
The Metal Wanderlust 