Newly initiated into the world of Metal, I returned home eager in anticipation to put my new addition to my slowly growing collection of CD’s on. Looking at the grey hues on the cover I was unsure what to expect. After popping the CD in and a fittingly deranged introduction, I was shown a side of Metal reserved for the true extreme. This record,the unsuspecting fifteen year old me had picked up, was In The Constellation Of The Black Widow. Cementing themselves as the most intense musical experience I had to date, Anaal Nathrakh have rarely let up since. Now ten years later, as my music taste has broadened and my appetite for the extreme has indeed grown I approach Anaal Nathrakh with a seasoned and altogether more perceptive ear. I give you, The Whole Of The Law

[tracklist]

1. The Nameless Dread
2. Depravity Favours The Bold
3. Hold Your Children Close And Pray For Oblivion
4. We Will Fucking Kill You
5. …So We Can Die Happy
6. In Flagrante Delicto
7. And You Will Beg For Our Secrets
8. Extravaganza!
9. On Being A Slave
10. The Great Spectator
11. Of Horror And The Black Shawls
12. Powerslave (Bonus)
13. Man at C&A (Bonus)

[/tracklist][details]
[length]53:00[/length]
[record_label]Metal Blade Records[/record_label]
[release_date]October 28th 2016[/release_date]
[/details]

The dynamic duo of Mick Kenny and singer Dave Hunt bring their potent concoction of chaos once more into a focused, streamlined attack. After the imposing introduction we’re devoured whole into the depraved world of the band with the suitably titled “Depravity Favours The Bold“. Featuring trademark Anaal Nathrakh elements ranging from Kenny’s bombastic riffing to singer Hunt’s inhuman, bloodcurdling screams the two understand exactly what buttons to push and when. The equivalent of sonic violence it can be hard to stomach the likes of “We Will Fucking Kill You” particularly after its red herring industrial beginning. Teasing the listener with Black Metal chords in its midsection and ghoulish melodies making for an emotional instrumental piece before Hunt’s vocals are vomited once more back at the listener.

With the unlistenable as their mission statement, Anaal Nathrakh strive against their classic foe, melody. Yet ironically The Whole Of The Law contains as much melody as it does bestial force. Ensuring the band remain deeply unsettling the final sections of “…So We Can Die Happy” feature a distorted child singing “the wheels on the bus“. Nothing has sounded more sinister particularly with the cracking distortion followed “In Flagrante Delicto”. Yet the band as we know, aren’t afraid of experimentation and the ostentatiously titled “Extravaganza!” delivers on all fronts. Featuring the anguished choir and ghoulish chants creating a deliciously reprobate atmosphere. 

Despite the libertine like pleasures found from the lyrics the music itself is some of the best the band have put together. Brutish riffing of “The Great Spectator” or the slick leads from “Hold Your Children Close And Pray For Oblivion” who in keeping with its abominable song title sounds similar to the end of the world. Master choreographers in the delectable, the world’s pre eminent experts in depravity have only themselves as competition. Aiming to surpass themselves with each release pushing the boundaries of the extreme, The Whole Of The Law is no exception.

[verdict]Yes[/verdict]
[why]Known for their aptitude for the unhinged, Anaal Nathrakh are a band like no other. Thriving in chaos The Whole Of The Law is a perfect encapsulation of the extreme.[/why]