There are few bands that can really “clear my musical plate” the way that Lars Lønning and the boys from BLACK DEBBATH do. Whenever they come out with a new album, it pretty much rules my player for at least 2-3 weeks. I just can’t get enough of this band’s mix of Python-esque satirical humor and otherworldly riffs that make even classic MONSTER MAGNET sound tame by comparison. Well, this newest album “Den Femte Statsmakt” is no exception.

In classic BLACK DEBBATH fashion, this album has more great riffs than your favorite BUDGIE box set. Lars and the boys have added some additional elements, like some occasional female backup singers and even some orchestral violins and cellos…but don’t be afraid. It’s done right and it sounds fantastic. All of it is held together by the unbelievably thick and heavy Gibson crunch of Lars Lønning and Aslag Guttormsgaard. These are the type of songs that grab you right away with irresistible metal guitar sounds, and then halfway through each track, they explode into even heavier and tighter riffs. Really, the average metal fan has no chance whatsoever of resisting this blues-based groove.

These guys make it sound easy, and have fun doing it. I absolutely loved 2001’s “Welcome to Norway” CD, sung entirely in English. As some of you will recall, every song dealt with an aspect of Norwegian culture, presented by way of bone-crunching riffs and hilarious lyrics. There is one song sung in English here, so the listener does get some opportunity to enjoy the band’s sense of humor. “What the Previous Song Was About”, the second track of the album basically explains the theme for the entire disc, that BLACK DEBBATH is basically appointing themselves as the puppet masters of the Norwegian State Administration. Very considerate of them, as it is important for a band to be flexible and try new things. They’ve obviously mastered this whole “rock and roll” thing, so why not?

As far as the rest of the album being sung in Norwegian, it reminds me of something I heard Paul Stanley say in an interview a few years back. He made a comment about some of KISS’ enormous Brazilian shows in the early 80s, describing how these Portuguese-speaking fans had memorized the lyrics to KISS songs, and were able to shout the lyrics to every song along with the band, even though most of them had no idea what they were singing. I thought that was ridiculous until I started getting into bands like BLACK DEBBATH, MEZARKABUL and LOUDNESS that write songs so heavy and so catchy that I find myself walking around humming things like “Min kone forlot meg mes jeg sto og fiska” while vacuuming. I have no fucking idea what it means, but buy this album and you’ll understand. Beyond recommended.

- Marchman

OFFICIAL SITE: www.blackdebbath.com

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