Though it was originally released in 2008, Father Befouled’s Profano Ad Regnum was re-released this summer on vinyl. Now, not having heard the vinyl version, I couldn’t tell you the difference in quality. My guess is that it still sounds like it was recorded in some dank, primordial dungeon, someplace that hasn’t seen sunlight in aeons. There is a seriously militant cult following for stuff like this these days, which fully proves that metal pops up like bacteria even in the most obscure corners of the world, but that fact unfortunately doesn’t make it any more listenable.
To those who worship at the altar of Incantation: you will undoubtedly enjoy the heaving darkness that is Profano Ad Regnum. The oppressive, doom-laced aura is something you most likely dwell in, you sad, tortured soul. You actively seek out the filthiest, most evil records that money can buy, and revel in your acquisitions. Surely this is one such album you’ll appreciate. For some of us who prefer the metal we listen to on a daily basis to be less suffocating, however, Father Befouled come on a bit strong. One must be in a morbid frame of mind to fully appreciate the massive lumbering riffs (“Reeking of Piss and Sadness”), the crypt-stench-drenched vocals (“Aborting the Immaculate”), and the eerie effects (“Maggots Await Their Wings”) – all of which crawl at the listener at a sadistically alternating fast/slow pace. Regardless of your mindset, you’re left feeling uncomfortable. The question is: did you seek it or not?
Obscurus Nex Cultus, the full-length released just prior to Profano Ad Regnum, disgorges the same amount of filth, yet in a slightly more accessible manner. Maybe Father Befouled are still on their downward descent, hearts blazing with the fires of hell. They released two splits in 2009 – one with Decrepitaph, the other with Helcaraxë. Maybe the next will see a guest appearance by Satan himself. At the rate this band is going, it wouldn’t be a surprise.
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This album is fucking great. This is true DEATH metal, the way it was meant to be played, before glossy productions and spiritless technical wankery was lapped up by the masses and passed off as death metal. Go listen to fucking Nightwish, pansy.
on Oct 9th, 2009 at 12:50Hello? McFly? It is possible to like this and Nightwish.
on Oct 9th, 2009 at 16:21There are also people who like to eat feces. Now I’m not saying that all Nightwish fans are fecalpheliacs, but they are definitely all gay.
on Oct 9th, 2009 at 18:25“Father Befouled come on a bit strong.”
Really? What style of music are you listening to? Pathetic.
on Oct 9th, 2009 at 19:56I still don’t understand this whole “this album sounds too clean” uppity mindframe. I have NEVER ONCE in my life listened to an album and said, “wow… I wish this album sounded more like shit.” Just baffles me.
on Oct 9th, 2009 at 22:17I’m amped on that Satan guest-spot.
on Oct 10th, 2009 at 00:07call me old fashioned but clean spit-shined production and death metal simply do not agree. It should sound grimy, rotten and dirty being that it is DEATH metal after all ;-)
on Oct 10th, 2009 at 09:55I’m with Reignman in that I’ve never listened to a metal album, in any subgenre, and thought “boy, that needed to sound more murky and gritty.” The notion that a good production is bad baffles me. Most of the albums that sounded bad and supposedly established standards sounded bad because they were recorded on shoestring budgets at a time when the mixing and engineering of music was a far less exact science. Am I supposed to think the new Nile CD isn’t brutal because it doesn’t sound like crap?
So, yeah, I’d rather listen to Nightwish than an album that sounds like shit.
on Oct 11th, 2009 at 08:47@ E. Brown. It’s ok I feel the same way about Hammerfall fans. Enjoy your feces.
on Oct 11th, 2009 at 10:14“call me old fashioned but clean spit-shined production and death metal simply do not agree. It should sound grimy, rotten and dirty being that it is DEATH metal after all”
EXACTLY. That is all that needs to be said about death metal production. FUCK off to Arsis, Behemoth and every other trendy band. Listen to Ignivomous’ “Death Transmutation”…. THAT is DEATH FUCKING METAL.
on Oct 12th, 2009 at 11:21“I’m with Reignman in that I’ve never listened to a metal album, in any subgenre, and thought “boy, that needed to sound more murky and gritty.” The notion that a good production is bad baffles me. Most of the albums that sounded bad and supposedly established standards sounded bad because they were recorded on shoestring budgets at a time when the mixing and engineering of music was a far less exact science. Am I supposed to think the new Nile CD isn’t brutal because it doesn’t sound like crap?
So, yeah, I’d rather listen to Nightwish than an album that sounds like shit”
There’s a BIG difference between sounding like shit and sounding like a cut n’ paste plastic band, such as Nightwish. If a production is TOO clean and polished, is saps ALL feeling from a record. If your music is bland, unthreatening,shallow,vapid excrement, like Nightwish…then you have nothing to lose. But for bands that create a unique, dark aura around them and their music does the same, a click clicky triggered pristine production takes away the FEEL of an album.
Nile fucking suck too, faggot.
on Oct 12th, 2009 at 11:25I wouldn’t exactly consider Arsis death metal. I can go either way on production though, depends on the image and style. Sometimes I like to hear exactly what’s being played and sometimes the muddiness and nastiness is integral to the overall intent.
on Oct 12th, 2009 at 11:25Ooh, Biff insults other people’s taste and he calls them homophobic insults. How original. Blabbermouth.net called and wants their gimmick back.
And I bet you your next homophobic insult that you can create an aura of evil AND use modern production sounds. Your problem is that you’re the typical metal elitist who thinks that what you like > everyone else. Happily, everyone else is entitled to an opinion. And look, I managed to express that without sinking to the level of homophobic insults.
You may reply with a supposedly crushing insult about either (1)my musical taste (2) my personal hygiene or (3) my sexual preferences.
on Oct 12th, 2009 at 18:39“Ooh, Biff insults other people’s taste and he calls them homophobic insults. How original. Blabbermouth.net called and wants their gimmick back.
And I bet you your next homophobic insult that you can create an aura of evil AND use modern production sounds. Your problem is that you’re the typical metal elitist who thinks that what you like > everyone else. Happily, everyone else is entitled to an opinion. And look, I managed to express that without sinking to the level of homophobic insults.
You may reply with a supposedly crushing insult about either (1)my musical taste (2) my personal hygiene or (3) my sexual preferences.”
:) I don’t think my musical tastes are better than everyone elses,but I have been listening to metal for soooo long that I have learned to filter out uninspired,plastic,vapid music. It plain to see when a band is mearly trying to ride a trendy wave to hot topic superstardom.
on Oct 13th, 2009 at 10:41Im not some ‘nekro kvlt grim’ production guy either, but sterile production can ruin a death metal album like no other factor. As Vugelnox said up above, it should be grimy, dirty and rotten.
This review was utter garbage, written by someone who I’m 99% positive loves clean,triggered,generic ‘breee’ death metal, that is why they couldn’t grasp the magnitude of this release.
what’s a breeeee
on Oct 13th, 2009 at 11:10Here gaba – http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0gtFmkVxb54&feature=related
on Oct 13th, 2009 at 12:59“what’s a breeeee”
You’d know it if you heard it…. its usually found in the ultra ‘broootal’ death metal stuff. The vocalist sounds like a pig : ‘bree bree bree bree breee’
on Oct 13th, 2009 at 12:59:)
examples?
on Oct 13th, 2009 at 14:08never mind, didn’t see Erik’s link. ha they are actually saying breeee.
on Oct 13th, 2009 at 14:10“never mind, didn’t see Erik’s link. ha they are actually saying breeee” :)
Haha…I fucking HATE that garbage.
on Oct 13th, 2009 at 15:50