One month after the release of Plateau Σ: The Harrowing, Benighted in Sodom released an album with the Dimmu Borgir-sounding name of Hybrid Parasite Evangelistica. Unlike the previous album, this one sounds more similar to his past work (no surprise given that this was recorded back in 2008-2009), but it still has a few elements that would become commonplace in his later work.
The biggest difference you'll notice on this album is the use of a human drummer. Here, they are performed by a guy named S. Blackburn. They're more complex and feel definitely more organic than the drum machine. They sound great, except for the snare drum which sounds too much like a dull thud. I wish they had more power to them.
Matron Thorn is still sticking with the Watain-like rasps from the last album. However, I also hear a bit of Shining in there. I still wish they had some form of reverb to them though. The guitars are still great, though. He still plays those dark and morose riffs he's famous for, and since this was recorded back in 2008-2009, they still have that bone-chilling reverb that made me fall in love with them in the first place, even if they sound cleaner. What caught me off guard was the acoustic guitar performance on the song “Nightshade & Arsenic”. Acoustic guitars like these sound more at home on an atmospheric black metal album than a depressive black metal album. Oh well, at least they're played well and still sound as dark as the rest of the album.
Since this is a transitional album, the performance may seem awkward, especially since Matron Thorn is now employing a human drummer, but the passion is still there. The riffs are still incredibly dark and the vocals are still filled with agony.
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