Black metal goes with just about anything, so they say. Shoegaze? Check (Deafheaven). Rock ‘n’ roll? Check (Kvelertak). Hell, even dream-pop has been incorporated (An Autumn for Crippled Children). Black metal covers of famous songs are now fairly standard (Fleshgod Apocalypse’s cover of Eiffel 65’s “Blue” and Children of Bodom’s cover of “Oops!… I Did it Again” stand as fairly notorious examples). But when Spider God released their infamous set of covers, Black Renditions, in 2022, the combination of overt pop sensibilities with legit black metal bona fides made metalheads take notice, if only for some to turn their noses up. Two full-lengths of varying quality followed (2022’s Fly in the Trap was a tonal misstep, corrected by 2024’s more energetic and fun The Killing Room). Now, the final part of the trilogy, Possess the Devil is here. Trilogies are notoriously hard to conclude well. Is this The Return of the King? Or The Godfather Part III?
For those who haven’t been keeping up, Possess the Devil follows the mysterious disappearance of ex-band member, Faustus, who got caught up in a deadly online game called—you guessed it!—”Possess the Devil.” This album promises to bring the mystery to an epic conclusion. Or something. I’m not sure that many people care when the vocals are indecipherable. What they might care about, however, is the sound. Spider God promise to not only continue the pop sensibilities noted on previous albums but to incorporate metalcore as well. Now… we have an awful lot of genre cooks in this particular kitchen. And they’re starting to throw things at each other…
Possess the Devil by Spider God
The major issue with Possess the Devil is that, to my ears, the addition of new elements has unbalanced a sound that was perched precariously to begin with. The wonderful sense of melodicism remains, but the black metal has been almost entirely discarded, and what’s left is melodeath/metalcore with screeched black metal rasps. But there’s a reason the best melodeath bands have versatile vocalists: the songs rely on melody, and require vocal support to highlight the material. Spider God’s monochromatic growls jar instead with the music. In addition, the aural assault is so all-consuming, so front-and-center in the mix, that the album becomes wearying by the halfway point. This is a real pity because when you give it the time it deserves (and allow your ears a break), the material is some of the best Spider God have put out in their career. The pop has given way to a more Gothenburg-esque sound (think early Tribulation) which feels more natural than the pop/black metal of earlier stuff. Ironically, the best tracks are the ones that abandon the black metal aesthetic altogether. Musically, this is the best musical material of Spider God’s career. I just wish it were better integrated.
I’m also not entirely convinced the ‘mystery’ schtick works at this point. The band clearly loves True Crime and unsolved mysteries, and there’s nothing wrong with incorporating what you love into your work. But the pop and melodicism just don’t gel in my ears with the subject matter. Imagine Britney had sung, “Oops!… I slit her throat again!” Metal fans would rejoice, but it would be kinda weird for everyone else. Possess the Devil is kinda weird, not helped by the fact that the mystery element is totally pointless without a lyric sheet and, frankly, not all that interesting.
Possess the Devil is an odd duck. As the band moves ever away from black metal, the quality of their sound is refined and improved. Yet the reliance on black metal tropes (including the vocals) unbalances the sound. The “true mystery” vibe is also running dangerously thin. While fans of their material will undoubtedly enjoy this, I don’t think it’s persuading the doubters. I am glad this trilogy is over because I think it represents an opportunity for a talented band to think about where to next. Spider God feel like they’re caught (like a Fly in a Trap?) between their past and their future. This transition album is a flawed testament to that. It will be fascinating whether they march forward to melodeath/metalcore, or head back to their roots of underground black metal. Either way, I will be listening.
Rating: 3.0/5.0
DR: 6 | Format Reviewed: 320 kbps mp3
Label: Repose Records
Websites: spider-god.bandcamp.com | facebook.com/spidergodband
Releases Worldwide: November 14th, 2024
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