PATHOGEN

"Pathogen" is the debut full-length studio album by UK, London based black metal act Skaldic Curse. The album was released through Forgotten Wisdom Productions in 2006. Skaldic Curse formed in 2001 and were active until 2011, releasing a couple of demos, one EP, and two full-length studio albums in that period, and also released the posthumous third album ("Devourer") in 2013.

Stylistially the material on "Pathogen" pretty much continue the harsh and cold, but also atmospheric black metal style of the 2004 "Contagious Psychic Misery" EP, but adds even more atmosphere and progressive songwriting ideas to the compositions. Sure some of the progressive moments include acoustic sections and other relatively standard progressive features, but Skaldic Curse often disguise how adventurous they are in the chords they use or the way they transist from one part of the song to the next. In other words it´s a subtle progressive touch and it´s seldom rubbed in your face, so to those who want their black metal undiluted, harsh, and cold, "Pathogen" still delivers plenty of that.

The sound production is as harsh as the music, but it´s detailed and suiting the material well. Upon conclusion "Pathogen" is an adventurous, progressive inclined black metal release by Skaldic Curse and a good quality debut album. A 3.5 star (70%) rating is deserved.

(Originally posted on Metal Music Archives)