Here comes the Akercocke of the walk

By Greg Manning
Collegian Reporter
March 22, 2006

Genuine innovation is hard to come by in today’s metal scene. In a world where over-hyped metalcore acts are content to add yawn-inducing breakdowns to decade-old Scandinavian melodic death/thrash riffs (Killswitch Engage and Unearth, I’m looking at you guys), and screamo bands add bed-wetting angst to music that could be construed as a type of kryptonite to the real metal fan, it’s easy for a heavy metal elitist like myself to grow bored, if not completely disgusted. Fortunately for me, there are bands out there who are true innovators. Akercocke is one of these bands.

To listen to Akercocke’s latest offering, Words that Go Unspoken, Deeds that Go Undone, is to listen to metal’s past, present and future all at once. These U.K. black metal darlings have created something truly unique with their fourth album, their second release on the Earache label. Combining black metal blasts, thrash aggression and chugging death metal with haunting acoustic atmospherics, brief industrial nuances and an approach to song writing that is undeniably prog-rock, the four-piece have created an album that is as dark and soothing as it is harsh and menacing.

Opener “Verdelet” is a perfect example of the Akercocke sound, moving from thrash to death metal to a melodic, ethereal chorus that would be right at home on any major radio station. Then without warning, the end of the song envelops the listener in a swirling maelstrom of black metal blast beats, only to give way again to a melodic outro. The way that Akercocke is able to take all of these different styles and combine them into a cohesive four-and-a-half minute song is nothing short of awesome. It must be heard to be believed.

The individual performances on the album are anything but lacking. Drummer David Gray seems right at home, whether he’s speeding on the double-bass pedal under the thrash-heavy “The Penance,” supplying blasts to the brutal “Seduced” or experimenting with jazzy fills in the album’s title track. Bassist Peter Theobalds provides the necessary bottom end to the album, mirroring the guitars when necessary, but also adding melodic frills to the riffs at the appropriate moments. Guitarists Jason Medonca and Matt Wilcock show great versatility, forging neck snapping thrash riffs, buzzing black metal tremolo picking and solos that manage to maintain a level of technicality without coming across as masturbatory (note the short but sweet bit of sweep picking in “Seduced”).

Meanwhile, the vocals of Medonca are always right on par with the music, ranging from a guttural death growl to a hateful black metal rasp to a surprisingly melodic and melancholic mode of clean singing that will most definitely tug on your heartstrings.

Individual musicianship aside, the true star of Words that Go Unspoken, Deeds that Go Undone is the songwriting. Akercocke keep the listener guessing through the entire 48 minutes of the album without falling into the trappings normally associated with such unpredictability. In short, the band makes what it do sound completely obvious, natural and above all, enjoyable. Highlights include the catchy opener “Verdelet,” the prog-oriented title track and the unrelenting “Seraphs and Silence,” which features a particularly memorable guitar solo by Wilcock. However, the centerpiece is definitely the epic third track, “Shelter from the Sand.”

Clocking in at over 10-and-a-half minutes, this behemoth is a textbook example of how to write a good song. It showcases all of Akercocke’s strengths, juxtaposing mind-numbing brutality with ghostly atmospheric sections. Featuring a piano interlude that is just as unexpected as it is effective, it is a song that will have you pushing the repeat button for weeks (a considerable compliment, considering its length.)

When all is said and done, Akercocke’s Words that Go Unspoken, Deeds that Go Undone will have people in the metal communinty talking for years to come. Staying true to the roots of the myriad of styles they play, while combing these styles in a way that is fresh and exciting, Akercocke have shaped an album that will please newcomers and jaded purists alike. Finally, something all in the opinionated world of heavy metal can agree upon. I cannot praise this album enough.

manningg1@lasalle.edu