Review by UnhinderedbyTalent for Taake - Stridens hus (2014)

My experience of Taake in the run up to getting around to this record in their discography had been solid enough an experience.  Consistent, entertaining and at times downright astonishing.  Sadly, by the time we get to this release the cracks are showing.  It is almost intentionally rocky for the most part and just comes off as being forced as well as utterly forgettable.

There's usually a turkey in most artist discographies, although this one left a particular sour taste in my mouth given the obvious drop in quality.  It is not to say that Taake lost their/his penchant for songwriting on album number six, more that things obviously went off the boil from the class of "Noregs vaapen".  I mean don't get me wrong, I have never written a black metal song, let alone performed one.  Given that I have listened to metal for 30 years chances are that if I did dip my quill in the ink to transcribe a tale of satanic devotion and nihilistic vitriol then more than a couple of influences would be legible from the finished product.

However, there's a between wearing influences on your sleeve or repeating a tried and tested formula and playing it safe and taking all challenge and scope for variety from your music in a genre that is fucking built on those traits!  Hoest just ploughs on with what he knows has worked on previous outings and somehow makes it come across as dull and sterile (in a non-black metal cool way).  It isn't all terrible, there's plenty of stormy percussion and more than a fair share of full-bodied riffage.  It just doesn't grab me by my collar and spit in my face like I prefer my BM to do.