(Black Metal) [CD] Dodsferd - Wastes of Life - 2015, FLAC (image+.cue), lossless

Dodsferd has always been a band that consistently puts out albums fairly close to one another. Since 2006, this band has released 9 full-lengths, not including splits and EPs. Usually, the sound of this band is a mixture of black metal and a rocking style of punk, to an extent. Albums like "Fucking Your Creation" and especially the average at best "The Parasitic Survival of the Human Race" are definite examples of this. However, Dodsferd released a very hypnotic depressive black metal album back in 2009 entitled "Suicide and the Rest of Your Kind Will Follow". The title of that album was a very good indication of its musical style. I'm not a huge fan of this band, to be completely honest. With some moments of brilliance, a lot becomes overshadowed with generic, standard black metal. "Wastes of Life" is a breath of fresh air for Wrath and Co., and in my opinion, is Dodsferd's finest moment thus far.
Like "Suicide and the Rest of Your Kind Will Follow", "Wastes of Life" follows a far more depressive style of music than most of what this band has put out in the past. However, in comparison, this album is far more varied and a lot of people would find it far less boring. The guitars on this album are easily the best this band has ever done. "The Dead Have No Speech For" is one of the finest songs here. Stylistically, this is the closest Dodsferd comes to incorporating its punk influence on this album. Aside from the melodic clean sections, the riffs are very catchy and contain a huge influence of rock music. It is a very rocking song and boasts a fair share of guitar solos. These solos, notably the first one after about 3 minutes in, works with a huge influence in blues, which is atypical in black metal and can be an extremely welcomed incorporation of a unique sound. The second solo that comes in at around the 5-minute mark is a bit more simple but still retains the atmosphere. This album also contains a lot of acoustic guitar work, adding an influence of older progressive rock. The acoustic intro to "Sterile Death, Without Mourning" is perhaps one of the most beautiful moments on this album. It almost reminds me of "Fade to Black" by Metallica of all songs but, once Wrath comes in screaming, it's onward to a depressive black metal abyss. "To the Fall of Man" is the album's non-black metal song, containing only clean guitars, but Wrath still incorporates his harsh vocals, which sounds rather interesting.
Aside from the beautiful yet chaotic music, this album is the most impressive from Dodsferd when it comes to the drum work. This is a perfect example of black metal that doesn't need to be filled up with blast beats to be an impressive album in the percussion realm. The simple drum line in the aforementioned bluesy intro to "Sterile Death, Without Mourning" shows this. It naturally flows along with the music, just as it's supposed to. I find this far more effective than blasting away just because it's common within this genre to do so.
After Dodsferd released "Suicide and the Rest of Your Kind Will Follow", they went back to making average at best black metal again. I really hope they don't do that again with the next album. If they continue working with this formula, they really could become one of the greatest black metal bands of all time. I was a bit blindsided by the release of this album, as I don't really follow Dodsferd and was not aware of its release until months after it had been out already. Regardless, maybe I will keep an eye on Wrath and the guys. I can't wait to see what they come up with next.

Neptunus Bass
Nadir Guitars (lead)
Wrath Vocals, Guitars
Maelstrom Drums