Let’s face it, the "ALL HAIL THE LEFT NUT OF SATAN" war chant of the past twenty-some odd years is fucking redundant and is being championed by morons. Glenn "Strawberry Cupcake" Benton and the Chucklefucks have smashed the Satanic motif into the ground for all that its worth and every other jackass that gets a record contract feels the necessity to put a pentagram over their shit and ramble on about "Satan this, Lucifer that." Hell, supposedly that shitfest H.I.M. that so many women go balls over derives their name from "His Infernal Majesty" (emphasis on the "supposedly" as I haven’t found verification. Regardless, I’m sure Canadian thrash act Infernal Majesty really hates that association if the rumor is true). It’s not that Satanic-themed metal is inherently horrible, it’s more a matter that people can’t figure out how to actually handle it. Even the jokes are no longer funny. Yes, some black metal and death metal bands have learned to use something called "restraint" but for the most part the entire thing is just one cosmic dead horse that everyone and their mother keep beating.

Then there is Akercocke. These lads are decked out in fashionable suits, writing near poetic lyrics, and with the exception of the naked women cliché in the album artwork they are presenting themselves in a suave manor, not unlike Italian jazz metallers Ephel Duath. These guys have the right idea. Words that Go Unspoken, Deeds that Go Undone marks the fourth album from these British death metallers and amazingly, while it’s hardly exemplary or revolutionary, the album is a very solid release with a well executed meshing of various styles. There’s a low rumbling, feral death metal roar and high pitch blackened scream with some decently semi-technical chops throughout the album, very decent clean vocal melodic parts, and even some Rush-inspired prog moments here or there. Throw on a very effective atmospheric part reminiscent of the opening of The Exorcist when Father Merrin is in Iraq and you got yourself an album that is appropriately dark, maintains its extremity while dipping into softer tendencies here or there, and can even fulfill the wants of the pretentious prog fan.

Admittedly, Words that Go Unspoken, Deeds that Go Undone is nothing special. All these elements have found mixture between each other before and have been done better. However, Akercocke’s sound retains a distinct feel and is nevertheless a solid release. This is what Opeth on paper aimed at becoming and entirely missed the mark. Not to mention Akercocke treats their brand of Satanism with a bit more reserve and taste, something that is pretty lacking in extreme metal. Words that Go Unspoken, Deeds that Go Undone isn’t for everyone, but it’s still worth a listen to two.

Written By: Necro-tron