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Belphegor’s death/ black mix is ominous and ferocious on this newly released studio album. The album is inspired by the notorious Marquis De Sade and even includes some Bach/Mozart influences. It sounds like the soundtrack to the 9 layers of hell!
Intensity has been one of Belphegor’s best and well-known traits. Once again, it plays a big part on “Bondage Goat Zombie.” Blast beats pummel the listener like a 6-barreled mini-gun. You really feel them pound your chest when you are cranking this up on your stereo. Fastidious death/black riffs mixed with crushing brutal riffs also make an extreme appearance. I’m talking blistering fast riffs as if they are trying to break some unheralded speed record. A few melodic death riffs also are in the mix adding a bit more diversity on the album. Speaking of which, the vocals are asserted in English, German and Latin. A few bands may use a couple different languages in their lyrics, but not many use more. These demon growls at the helm make your skin crawl.
Many of the tracks on “Bondage Goat Zombie” are excellent tunes. The opener and title-track “Bondage Goat Zombie,” “Stigma Diabolicum,” and “Justice: Soaked In Blood” are all awesome songs that fans of Belphegor will get right into. Track 5, “Sexdictator Lucifer,” is quite a change of pace, it’s slowed down and more rhythmic compared to most of their tracks. Still a worthy mention for being more unique and sounding pretty good as well.
9 tracks and nearly 40 minutes of blasphemy were recorded in three sessions from November 2007 to January 2008. Andy Classen once again was at the helm at Stage One Studios in Kassel, Germany. This metal master did another note-worthy job.
Belphegor is as strong as ever with “Bondage Goat Zombie” don’t expect these guys to slow down anytime soon. Infernal Hails!!
Rating: 85
Reviewed By: Jeffrey D. Adkins