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The Meads Of Asphodel - Sonderkommando



7.9 | 44 votes |
Release date: 8 April 2013
Style: Experimental black metal

Owners:

44 have it
15 want it


01. Sonderkommando
02. Wishing Well Of Bones
03. Aktion T4
04. Silent Ghosts Of Babi Yar
05. Children Of The Sunwheel Banner (Part 1)
06. Children Of The Sunwheel Banner (Part 2)
07. Lamenting Weaver Of Horror
08. Sins Of The Pharaohs
09. Last Train To Eden
10. Hourglass Of Ash
11. The Mussulmans Wander Through The Infernal Whirling Fires Amongst Silent Shadows To Be Fed Into The Thirsting Jaws Of A Godless Death Machine To Cough Up Their Souls To The Nazi Moloch Who Sits Within A Ring Of Smoking Infant Skulls
12. Send My Love To Maher-Shalal-Hash-Baz

Staff review by
Auntie Sahar
Rating:
N/A
If you know your WWII history, or have read Metatron's highly enlightening essay on the concept behind Sonderkommando on The Meads Of Asphodel website, you'd know that the "Sonderkommando" of this album's title were Jewish prisoners who worked concentration camps during the war in return for special privileges, most specifically an extension of their persecution date. Hauntingly artistic and intentionally thought-provoking as usual, the band's fifth full album continues with the usual Jewish/Middle Eastern themes they've more or less become known for. Only this time, the topic isn't some far-gone Israel or Semitic land of yesterday, but a more contemporary, relatable event that is still deeply scarred into our global memory. This is a black metal interpretation of the Holocaust, The Meads Of Asphodel style.

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published 28.05.2013 | Comments (13)

Quite clearly a band with no interest in pandering to the the naysayers who never wrapped their noggins around them, Sonderkommando brings The Meads Of Asphodel back to their most abstruse. Gone is most of the whimsy and the euphoric melodies of The Murder of Jesus the Jew, here we see them at their darkest, murkiest and most nuanced. Many accuse them of "stirring the shit" with regard to their lyrical content and imagery, but that's something you should most certainly read about yourself before throwing any stones.



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Comments: 37   Visited by: 392 users
02.08.2014 - 21:42
Rating: 9
Demerzel

Written by Guest on 02.08.2014 at 20:05

Too lazy to Google it from my phone, but does any one know who does the primary clean vocals on this? They always remind me of Lou Reed. Kinda hoping they're in another band.

The title track has to be one of the most complete songs the band had ever done. Amazing stuff.


I think it's either, Amebix's vocalist or some guy called JM who also performs cleans in a Meads side project:

Not bad.
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02.08.2014 - 21:47
!J.O.O.E.!
Account deleted
Ah I've heard that band before (though I don't recall much about it). Can't listen to it right now but I'll check that again when I have access to proper Internet. Cheers.
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21.09.2014 - 03:00
!J.O.O.E.!
Account deleted
Written by Demerzel on 02.08.2014 at 21:42


I think it's either, Amebix's vocalist or some guy called JM who also performs cleans in a Meads side project:
Not bad.

Oh yeah, finally got round to this. As it happens I don't think it is this guy. The one I mean is this guy (skip to 4.10)

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07.07.2016 - 21:20
!J.O.O.E.!
Account deleted
Been playing this to and from the walk to work a lot recently, and think it might be pushing The Murder... off its spot at the top.
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13.10.2017 - 21:54
Rating: 10
Auntie Sahar
Drone Empress
I really do think I prefer this to The Murder Of Jesus The Jew, I mean both are pretty godtier but somehow everything here just feels a bit more cohesive in terms of songwriting and concept. Thematically as well I prefer the idea behind this one a little more as its bleakness and poignancy helps a lot with making very valid, brutal points about our species.

"It is about the inhumanity of humanity."
-Metatron
----
I am the Magician and the Exorcist. I am the axle of the wheel, and the cube in the circle. “Come unto me” is a foolish word: for it is I that go.

~ II. VII
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15.10.2017 - 04:51
VIG
Account deleted
Written by Auntie Sahar on 13.10.2017 at 21:54

I really do think I prefer this to The Murder Of Jesus The Jew, I mean both are pretty godtier but somehow everything here just feels a bit more cohesive in terms of songwriting and concept. Thematically as well I prefer the idea behind this one a little more as its bleakness and poignancy helps a lot with making very valid, brutal points about humanity

I can't agree really. I need to give it a few more spins to really tell. They are both very grand and "epic" albums, but I remember liking TMOJTJ more because I found it more powerful than this one. I'm currently listening to Sonderkommando, and I think I still prefer The Murder.
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15.10.2017 - 13:26
Rating: 10
Auntie Sahar
Drone Empress
Written by Guest on 15.10.2017 at 04:51

I can't agree really. I need to give it a few more spins to really tell. They are both very grand and "epic" albums, but I remember liking TMOJTJ more because I found it more powerful than this one. I'm currently listening to Sonderkommando, and I think I still prefer The Murder.

Well both are extremely well executed in terms of theme and composition, I certainly don't begrudge anyone for preferring The Murder. Meads are kinda like Death Grips or Enslaved in the sense that it's really hard to pick a favorite album for them since each is just so damn good in its own way. But Sonderkommando especially makes me interested for whatever's coming next concept wise for the band. When I spoke to Metatron in 2015, he hinted that the next album would explore his take on the Israel-Palestine conflict, which I hope is true because that would be super interesting
----
I am the Magician and the Exorcist. I am the axle of the wheel, and the cube in the circle. “Come unto me” is a foolish word: for it is I that go.

~ II. VII
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