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 three albums have been released in the 2000's.
