Dunderbeist - Black Arts & Crooked Tails

Dunderbeist is a 7-piece band from Norway. They are no new to the scene as this band consists of former members of Krace, Kite and Stonegard and has already released 3 full-length albums (“Second Hand Theft”- in 2008, “8 Crows & Counting” in 2009 & “Dunderbeist” in 2011) and the “Rovmord” EP in 2010, all through their own Dunder Records. I know there’s not much info about this album and some may think that this is the first work of Dunderbeist. As the press release states, “Black Arts & Crooked Tails” (which is the 4th studio album) is the band’s international debut… probably in terms of a larger distribution and promotion. After all, that’s why they signed to Indie Recordings.

 

The album features 10 songs from which the 8 are from the previous works of the band. Specifically, 5 songs (“Shields Aligned”, “More Me”, “Winter Past”, “8 Crows & Counting”, “Hum Hum”) were taken by “8 Crows & Counting” and the other 3 (“Through the Peephole”, “Lucifer Eyes” & “The Worst Sentence”) from “Second Hand Theft”. Therefore, I can assume that the other 2 (“La Guerre du Feu (Lord of the Flames)” & “Fear and Loathing”) are totally new ones. So, “Black Arts & Crooked Tails” is like a compilation album that contains the most demonstrative songs from the previous works of Dunderbeist plus 2 new tunes. Obviously, this release addresses to the rest of the fans that live outside Norway and haven’t heard of the band till now.

 

In the music part, Dunderbeist are blending various music styles, such as heavy metal, hard rock, alternative rock, stoner, pop/rock, industrial, symphonic, rap metal and extreme metal (very few elements from the two last styles mentioned)… and trying to present something interesting and amusing at the same time. It’s true that “Black Arts & Crooked Tails” is a very ambitious effort. Imagine a vicious music orgy among Arcturus, Rammstein, Virus, Faith No More & Rob Zombie… their newborn filthy bastard is called Dunderbeist…

 

The heavy & powerful production is another plus on this work. It’s hard to categorize them… and personally I do not think that they need categorization or it would be appropriate to put them under any label. The album needs quite a few spins, a good mood and an open mind so as to get those good features it has to offer. You may perhaps call it “weird” metal/rock music but it has some very good moments. Due to the bizarre musical blending here… some will love it but others will absolutely hate it. Personally, I will have to wait for the follow up album, which will contain entirely new music, for this one has left me a good taste.