UNCHRISTIAN CHRISTIAN – Sulphurfeast
Release Date: 9th December 2022
Label: Self Released
Bandcamp
Genre: Death Metal, Old School Death Metal.
FFO: Eigenstate Zero, Paganizer, Bloodbath, Morbid Angel.
Review By: Andy Spoon
One of my favorite subgenres of death metal is Swedish Death Metal, representing some of the better death metal releases to come out this year with Paganizer, Ironmaster, Wombbath, and of course, Bloodbath. Single-member project Unchristian Christian seeks to join that impressive list of releases with Sulphurfeast, an 11 track LP chock-full of Swedish death metal goodness. Sulphurfeast is set to be released on December 9th, 2022.
The crowning achievement on this album is the outrageous vocals. Christian Ludvigsson’s vocal attack and technique is completely bonkers from first to last across this entire album. I was absolutely blown away at how disgustingly-sweet these vocal tracks were. I’m reminded of one of my favorite DM vocalists Gene Palubicki. Be on the lookout for vocal doubling effects and harmonizers that create the juiciest, most eerie-sounding din of vocal filth you’ll hear all year. I thought that Paganizer’s vocals this year would be among some of the best Swedish death metal offerings this year, but It’s clear that Unchristian Christian didn’t come to play when it came to the title spot this year. I don’t say that lightly either. I spent the better part of an hour making the ugliest stink face at just how outrageous Ludvigsson’s vocal attack was track after track.
The next most powerful element is the guitar work, having every single little bit of that wonderful Swedish “chainsaw” effect. I absolutely loved how polished and yet unpolished it all sounded. The mixdown was set such that the vocals were in the front of the mix, guitars right behind. It’s clear that the artist probably intended this sound, as it really works expertly on each track. Some of my favorite tracks to illustrate this are Spirit and Flesh, and Mausoleum, tracks where the entire vocal catalog of tips and tricks is employed with a fiery, trilling guitar backing that never lets up.
The entire album is generally fast-paced, each track bearing that old school Swedish death metal tempo, save for a few moments of slow interludes (ex. Dead Dull Eyes). For the most part, all 11 tracks are just thrashing, blistering death metal wildness that doesn’t let up. I was impressed (as mentioned before) with the absolute vocal fury that is present on every last track. You can absolutely sit back and just appreciate his technique and the quality of the recording. Most of the tracks are around three minutes or under, so there won’t be any super long, drawn-out movements ebbing and flowing with the intent on lulling you to sleep. It’s just a solid LP of raging metal from the first second to the final fade-out.
I had thought this would be a fun album to compare, perhaps, to Paganizer or Bloodbath, but in all honesty, this might be, just perhaps, a contender for the Death Metal album of the year when compared to all of those other offerings from Sweden and northern Europe. Unchristian Christian’s single-man format has paid big dividends with his tremendous vocals and thrashing old school death charm that would compete with any of the year’s best offerings for your fanship and admiration. Frankly, it deserves your attention; and you’d be totally foolish to pass on this one before the year is up. Unchristian Christian has a new fan going forward, and I hope you give it a few spins soon.
(5 / 5)
