20. Anaal Nathrakh - 'Endarkenment'

Slowly but surely over twenty-one years and eleven records Anaal Nathrakh have become a very British institution, I would go as far as say a national treasure (well at least for those who like their Metal on the extreme side). They have become dependable, in a thoroughly good way. You know they will be explosive live, each and every time, and you know they will make albums that sound like nobody else. 

From the moment that “Endarkenment” kicks off you know this is Anaal Nathrakh. The noise that they make is as distinctly them as say AC/DC’s is theirs. They have managed to create something blistering unique that I can only describe as extreme power Metal. It has the brittle brutality of Death and Black Metal’s, but it has an additional soaring and anthemic quality with each and every track literally taking flight. It may be caustic and corrosive, but it is also big, bold and widescreen. And I haven’t even mentioned the industrial and electro tendencies. 

So “Endarkenment” sounds like Anaal Nathrakh, big deal I hear you cry. As I have said all Anaal nathrakh albums sound distinctly like Anaal Nathrakh and nobody else, what is so different this time around?  Well “Endarkenment” sounds like Anaal Nathrakh nitro, Anaal Nathrakh turned up to eleven, Anaal Nathrah on speed, ketamine and a whole host of other uppers. This is the most evil, perverted sugar rush you have ever had. The aural equivalent of sticking your head in a candyfloss maker. It is 250mph from the off and then it accelerates. Utterly exhilarating and utterly brilliant.