Origin:	Prague, Czech Republic
Genres:	Black Metal

Master's Hammer

Another of those bizarre Czech bands (see also Forgotten Silence, Silent Stream Of Godless Elegy, and Love History), the Master's Hammer story dates back to their formation in the mid-eighties, eventually recording three albums, the latter two of which are reviewed here. The Jilemnice Occultist, released in 1992, is a very unique take on eclectic black metal, with a majestic midpaced style punctuated by the effective use of kettle drums, and mostly throaty black vocals, though the occasional use of some Therion-esque clean vocals add to the epic feel. One of the more unusual black metal albums ever recorded (really more of an eclectic metal band with black metal influences, instead of the other way around), it's a strange listen, and perhaps not very immediate, but definitely a worthwhile addition to any leftfield metal fan's collection. Slagry, on the other hand, is almost an entirely different affair. Reduced to a studio duo, the album consists mostly of synth noodlings in a variety of styles, most of which are completely non-metal (a few snippets might remind one of a parade march, as one example), along with a few interesting ideas (a strange version of "Sabre Dance", a cover of a Chuck Berry tune (!), and a song or two that are close to Jilemnice outtakes). Either this was recorded for contractual obligations, or was simply the product of a lot of odd experimentation, but in either case it's not a great listen. The band broke up soon after that effort, but the original lineup reformed and released Mantras in late 2009.