As you’d expect from a band with the word Militia in their name (guys c’mon, Hell’s Militia would have sounded much better), this French outfit belongs to the conservative party of black metal. Conservative as in discordant, primitive, mostly amelodic – and to these ears, totally fucking boring. Too bad, considering the pedigree: members of Arkhon Infaustus, Antaeus, Vorkreist and featuring vocalist Meynach from LLN legends Mutiilation. Then again, I don’t really like any of those bands (despite the occasional fascination with LLN weirdness).

You’d think with all of that experience, Hell Militia might turn out something noteworthy, but I found this a slog to get through. It’s not bad for this type of no-frills black metal; in fact, it’s got quite a good mix and sonic heft, given the style. However, it’s still pretty faceless and indistinguishable from so much that’s come before. Meynach gives a suitably demented performance, especially with his gruffer vocals, but that’s all that really stood out here for me. That, and the vaguely punky thump of “Shoot Knife Strangle Beat & Cruelty,” but that’s because it’s not a Hell Militia song, it’s a GG Allin cover.

I suppose if you like your black metal ugly and primitive and repetitive, or you’re into that whole bestial/orthodox thing, you’ll want to check this out, but I personally couldn’t wait for this death-march to be over.

[Visit the band's website]

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