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AKERCOCKE Words That Go Unspoken, Deeds That Go Undone Earache (2005)
It was only a year ago that "Choronzon" was released, so some of you might still remember how the strength of that quite impressive album "forced" me to pledged my eternal devotion to this UK-based outfit. As things were looking quite promising for the band's future, news started to arrive that there was some sort of negative tension within the Akercocke camp. This tension led to the departure of the band's axeman Paul Scanlan, and his substitution by ex-Berseker guitarist Matt Wilcox, with whom the band recorded their fourth studio album "Words That Go Unspoken, Deeds That Go Undone".
I was really worried as to whether these changes would negatively affect the sound and musical direction of the band, but it only took a couple of spins in order for me to realise that what I was listening to was the band's best release to date! Experimentations with clean vocals and oriental scales, as well as the mixture of different/complex music patterns are now taken to the next level, and the band seems more tight and confident than ever before.
If you decide to describe Akercocke as a modern progressive Death Metal outfit, you will be quite accurate in your assessment and will also be supported in your argument by quite a few songs that are featured in this album, starting with the opening track "Verdelet". This is indeed one of the best songs ever composed by the band, the structure of which is quite complicated to describe, but at the same is based on a pretty straight-forward thrashy riff that will make many so-called Thrashers run for their lives. While "Seduced" takes a more typical Death Metal "path", "Shelter From The Sand" is another sample of Progressive Death Metal brilliance with a slightly darker feel than it's predecessor's. This nice antithesis will continue throughout the album, making this ten-track release one of the most pleasant musical experiences that I have had so far this year. I also believe that credit should also be given to Neil Kernon (Nevermore, etc), because, instead of messing with the band's sound, he created what I consider to be the ideal production for such an important release!
There are many good things that can be said about this album, and believe me, I can go on for hours about how great "Words That Go Unspoken, Deeds That Go Undone" is and why you should add it to your record collection. The truth is that the best promotion for this release is by the ten songs that are featured on it. Listen to them carefully, and join me on the main floor of any of the London-based venues that will offer their hospitality to this amazing band. Is there room for any improvement? I don't really know, but I think that would prove quite challenging!
****½
Review by John Stefanis
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