So there are concept albums, and then there are concept series. You may think that Mindvile is just starting out, but these guys are setting their sights on an ambitious project called ‘Stories No Tongue Should Tell’. Old Continent is set to be the first chapter in the saga, a five album saga to be exact. The concept is to visit the most horrible bastards in history… how that plays out is what I’m here for. Long term brutality will ensue, I’m pretty sure of that.
So now that everyone is all caught up with the back story and the future release schedule. How is this debut full-length and is it worth your valuable time? Well first of all, yes it is very worth your time. A melding of Dark Funeral and Marduk sounds good on paper and fortunately the way Mindvile execute said melding makes it extremely fun to listen to.
The production is massive and in your face and the killer artwork brings it all together. The total package will be absolutely killer, according to the presser and since physical media is still a popular format, it is not showing any signs of going away.
“Bite by Bite” is first and it’s a home wrecker due to the need to fling and flail yourself into the walls. These aren’t long, drawn out songs. They’re quick and to the point. “Predator’s Mask” is next and there are those Marduk moments I was saying come blasting in. Roller-coaster rides aren’t even this intense, to the point where it’s aural brutality; a literal assault on your sense of hearing.
“Unholy Task” and “The Evil Siren’s Tongue” have more of a Dark Funeral-ish vibe to them, especially the latter which could have sat like Baphomet on Secrets of the Black Arts or Vobiscum Satanas. “Lord of the Threshold” and “Judge, Killer and Executioner” are my favorite tracks on Old Continent. Go for the jugular, precision blasts and riffs that roll over your ass like a tank.
“Craftman’s Legacy” and “Cellarbound” round out the album in proper bombastic fashion. Both are fast as fuck, boy! Although they do play around with tempos, not just here; but across the album. It’s all about diversity in the end, anyway.
While Mindvile aren’t reinventing the Black Metal wheel any time soon, Old Continent is a competent album. I’m anxious to see what they do with this concept series and as long as they keep up the caliber of music I’ve spoken about here, it’ll be a banger.
If this sort of thing excites you then you should automatically pick it up. Do yourself a favor.
