The German rulers MNHG return with their second album, about three years after their fine debut Mundare (link for the review: see below). Like the debut, this one gets unleashed via Belgium’s premium Black Metal label Immortal Frost Productions, and it’s quite evident that it gets released on compact-disc (including a twenty-page booklet; 500 copies), and on vinyl in two different editions / colors (250 copies, with a poster and a lyric sheet included).
Also ‘once again’ is the studio. All recordings, mix and mastering were taken care of at the Liquid Aether Studio, resulting in a rough and grim, yet perfectly balanced sound-quality. And the diabolic-ritualistic visual artwork, before going over to the sonic side of this release, was taken care of by WrathDesign, a closely related partner of the label.
So, what about the aural content? Well, those trusted with the debut Mundare will surely appreciate Necare, for this new recording goes strongly on in the vein of that first album. for more than thirty-seven minutes, the album offers an energetic, solid and grooving form of Punk-injected Black Metal; call it Black’n’Roll, if you want to. This material is both rhythmic and melodic, lacking any exaggerated complexity or superficial modernism. It’s pure, basic, even relatively simplistic, within the most positive sense. Simplicity, in this case, is a good think, for the result does focus on the essence of blasphemous, intolerant sonics; no gimmicks or experiments. It is even that effective and efficient, that it reveals an arrogant attitude. Hehe, I like that!
Compared to the debut, this sophomore full-length might sound little more technical. This goes for the main (tremolo) riffs and the solos especially, yet the rhythm strings (mind those cool bass-lines in Agony And Pain) and percussions too might sound more refined and polished. Yet as said, it is not (at all) about complicated structures, yet purest intensity. Another aspect is the fact that the catchy grooves are less pronounced, yet not gone either. Still this does give the whole that dynamic rocking vibe.
For some reason, Necare reminds me of the Octagon / Requiem era by mighty Bathory, or stuff à la Sarke, Void (the French one), Vesen (yet without the thrashing ugliness), (early) Vreid, (earlier) Dødsferd, or later Darkthrone. Yet then again, MNHG do have their own identity. Besides, the explicit variety creates awe. A nice aspect is the injection of Doom-based elements (listen for example to the epic track Lucifer’s Claim, with marvelous leads and excellent drum-patterns) as well as the vocal range (which includes punky yells, extremely grim screams, and additional growls, grunts, shouts, and more).
Because all of the tracks, without exception, are of a satisfying kind, the whole album works like a true listening experience; I mean, one never loses his / her attention during this wild ride. Okay, some pieces might be more ‘attractive’ than others – the semi-hymn The Fall Of Wormwood or the slow (aforementioned) epic Lucifer’s Claim are such (personal) examples. Necare thunders forth in an organic, logical sense, carefully crafted and well-balanced in structure and pace.
No further comment; I made my point.
https://immortalfrostproductions1.bandcamp.com/album/necare
https://www.immortalfrostproductions.com/releases/mnhg/mnhg-necare-cd-vinyl-digital/
https://www.concreteweb.be/reviews/mnhg
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bdfkws1LVzI
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aehXJikoo-s