A Black Metal Classic - "Légions Anticatholiques" Review (100%)
Légions Anticatholiques is arguably the album which turned Antekhrist into what they are today. While their debut album Malleus Maleficarum was some truly malevolent black metal, it was also too raw and quite difficult to get into for the uninitiated, so it wasn't until this release that the cult movement began with this band.
To summarise Légions Anticatholiques in a few words, it's raw and grim, and despite the fact that it lacks the disturbing evil feeling present on later releases, especially the masterpiece of blasphemy Fukked by God, it's still pretty damn nefarious all the same.
Légions Anticatholiques offers all that a true black metal fan would desire, from the raw guitars with fast, good, solid riffs to the dark and brooding atmosphere. The riffs can be a bit repetitive sometimes, as with most black metal music, but they never get monotonous, probably because the riffs themselves are pretty damn good.
It basically goes without mentioning that these riffs are rather complex and technical and only very talented guitarists could play them. Even if you aren't into black metal, you might want to get this album just to listen to the epic guitar riffs.
There is no denying that this album pushes the boundaries of extreme metal music.
Légions Anticatholiques is the album to own if you like evil black metal.
A Black Metal Classic
Upon first impressions, Légions Anticatholiques is just another standard black metal album from another raw black metal band. After many listens, you will find that there is so much more to it. Antekhrist's evil atmospheres will leave an everlasting impression on whoever dares to listen to the blasphemous horrors contained in Légions Anticatholiques.
Légions Anticatholiques isn't as clean sounding as La Bite du Diable (their following release) and yet it isn't raw like Phantom's Divine Necromancy. All the instruments are very much audible for the listener.
The guitar work ranges from speedy, somewhat thrash inspired riffing, to a slower pounding of desecration and minimalist melodies, also sort of reminiscent of Divine Necromancy. Antekhrist's earlier work seems to have been heavily influenced by Phantom, and you can definitely feel it on this album.
Antekhrist have written some fucking excellent and dare I say epic riffs here. See 'Saccage des Cathédrales' and 'Diarrhée Rectale dans l'Eau Bénite' to understand what I'm talking about.
The drums are fairly fast paced and, as with most black metal, predominantly blasting, but they are also slowing down in appropriate places and working perfectly with the guitars. Antekhrist has some very technical drum patterns inserted here and there, but those are done in moderation and never become distracting for the music.
Légions Anticatholiques is a brilliant black metal release, it's never tiring nor repetitious and doesn't bore me for one moment. If you're looking for some newer, refreshing black metal, go buy this album at once. Amazing work.
Légions Anticatholiques score: 100/100.
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