2007 reissue of the second album from the ever-uncompromising Norwegian act Carpathian Forest, originally released in 2000. Considered a cult Black Metal release, the album deals with dark themes of death and suicide, intr... more »oducing stronger atmospherics at times alongside their trademark brand of raw Black Metal mixed with inspiration from the '80s Black Metal scene and Rock/Punk genres. The band features mainman Nattefrost, who has lately enjoyed a successful solo-career, alongside his main band. Also appearing on Strange Old Brew is Tchort on bass, a familiar name from his previous work with Emperor's debut album and more diverse acts such as Green Carnation. Peaceville.« less
2007 reissue of the second album from the ever-uncompromising Norwegian act Carpathian Forest, originally released in 2000. Considered a cult Black Metal release, the album deals with dark themes of death and suicide, introducing stronger atmospherics at times alongside their trademark brand of raw Black Metal mixed with inspiration from the '80s Black Metal scene and Rock/Punk genres. The band features mainman Nattefrost, who has lately enjoyed a successful solo-career, alongside his main band. Also appearing on Strange Old Brew is Tchort on bass, a familiar name from his previous work with Emperor's debut album and more diverse acts such as Green Carnation. Peaceville.
"The thing you gotta bare in mind about Carpathian Forest is that they are very much into misanthropy and pure narrow-mindedness. They say so flat out. I am a black metal musician myself, and I understand how one might think these songs to be Black metal for punk fans, but I will GUARANTEE you if you approached these guys and said, "hey, your songs are too simple to be true black metal.", their response would be "Thats all you f**king deserve you whiny little b*tch!!" Carpathian Forest, for that reason could be called emo-black metal, since the majority of their songs are about pure hatred and rage, rather than being about impressing the listener with a bunch of technical riffing, epic songwriting, or symphonic back-up. If you're more into technical riffing then I reccomend Immortal. If Symphonic Black metal is your thing, try Cradle Of Filth or Dimmu Borgir. If you want pure relentless narrow-minded misanthropic black metal, Carpathian Forest is about the best there is."
4.5
10/14/2000
(4 out of 5 stars)
"Black metal, sort of in the vein of Dark Throne! There is a definite Celtic Frost vibe! Good production, good songs! A very underrated black metal band! If you like black metal (their not the symphonic type) then do yourself a favor and get this! 'Black Shining Leather' is good as well!"
UT OH..HERE COMES THE ICE STORM..FROM HELL!!
INFESTER | Not Germany circa 1930's! | 10/21/2005
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Yikezz!!!!
These Norwegian's are some nasty little ba*stard's!!!
I never can really get over the COLDNESS this bring's me..I need to listen to this with 5 coat's on to be able to survive!!
This very much a tribute to CELTIC FORST,BATHORY even a little DARKTHRONE..you can tell that is what the influence is!!
My fave song is the duet with the girl and the saxaphone!! YES A SAXAPHONE ON A BLACK METAL ALBUM!!! STICK THAT UP YER ASS NAY SAYER!!! then the song that follow's it is also the best in term's of ERIENESS!!
And a special treat for the CULT film fan..''THE THEME FROM NEKROMANTIK'' is here and done to PERFECTION!!!
I dont know what is wrong with these guy's...well nothing is wrong with them..but this much darkness warant's them a search warant from us curious human's!!!!
Some of the best TRUE BLACK METAL IN THE 00's!!!!
And another thing..I scored this disc for FREE!!!!! got a promo copy that was a full length cd!! so it was the best FREE I ever spent ..HAHA!!
BUY/FIND IT TODAY!!!!!! WE NEED THIS COLDNESS IN OUR LIVE's..INVOKE WINTER WITH THIS!! FOR SHE ALONG WITH HER DESOLATION.. ARE COMING!!!!!
DECEMBER SHALL APPROACH!!!!
''HE's TURNING BLUE...O AND NOBODY CARE's''
''SOMETHING NEVER CHANGE's...SOME THING NEVER WILL''"
Surprising Variety
Fred Rayworth | Las Vegas, NV United States | 07/29/2008
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Each time I browsed the CD store, I kept coming across these guys. The album artwork, their logo, name, and cheap price of the CD's kept me coming back to them time after time. I did a little search on YouTube and found a few live videos of them. I don't like the staged MTV type videos because they don't show how bands really look live, but there was no problem finding something live by these guys. Their sound is a catchy blend of black metal and heavy riffing, and not just a blur of noise and growling.
I finally took the plunge and bought this CD and must say I'm not disappointed. Though their "black" image seems more like "schtick" than true believers, there is no doubt where the music is coming from.
I guess Carpathian Forest only has one steady member, and that is Nattefrost. I've noticed a revolving door of musicians on their other albums with him being the constant. Reminds me of Bathory in that way.
This album is raw, but filled with sophisticated orchestration and is not a steady blast beat pace. There is variety in the songs, and some great and memorable riffing. Maybe this is what black metal should be. At times it is raw and has a Hellhammer or Bathory feel, while at other time, it stands on its own and nothing else is quite like it.
The only problems I see with this album are that everything in the mix is buried by the guitar, especially on the first half of the album. The vocals, in particular, are buried in the mix. They don't stand out like vocals should be. The drums and bass sound best when they are punctuating the guitar. When things get going, it's pretty much the guitar with a bunch of other stuff going on in the background. This gives it a primitive "garage" feel that actually adds to the charm. The more orchestrated songs are mixed different but not enough that they jar the musical themes on the album. The last song, which is a bonus track, He's Turning Blue, goes back to the same style as the first song and makes a great ending to the CD.
This is unique and well done black metal, not just a dirge of noise and growling. Highly recommended.