PAYMENT OF EXISTENCE

"Payment of existence" is Norwegian metallers Communic's third album, and their latest release at time of writing. While de facto leader Oddleif Stensland is currently writing new material, it seems likely that we will need to wait until after 2009 for any further releases. The line up is once again unchanged, but as the playing of the trio has been admirably tight since their first album this release is simply a natural development of their sound rather than marked improvement of it.

The heavy introductory riff to "On Ancient Ground" tells us that this is very much business as usual; if anything things seem even heavier this time around. The lyrics are suitably tinged with pagan and satanic references and refrains of "Sacrifice", the sleeve illustration suggesting that depravation, destruction and decay provide the loose concept for the album.

"Becoming of Man" is the first to lighten things slightly, the chiming guitar supporting a fine vocal arrangement. The track works its way though slight variations in tempo and mood, but is generally slower that the other songs, further emphasising its power. "Raven's Cry" and "Through the Labyrinth of Years" appear to include keyboards to swell the sound, but once again, if this is the case they remain unaccredited.

Overall, the prog aspects of Communic are muted to say the least. While they deliver extended songs, most are between 6 and 10 minutes long, this has more to do with the band's ability to fully develop their material rather than through the introduction of genuine prog tenets. They do however make a mighty sound, and their vocal capabilities are far superior to many other bands who follow a similar path. At the risk of sounding like a stuck record, I do wish they would diversify their sound a bit more, and also that they would include more genuine solos in their instrumental passages. These however are personal aspirations, and this remains a well made and most enjoyable album.

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