𝗦𝗮𝘁𝘆𝗿𝗶𝗰𝗼𝗻 — 𝗡𝗼𝘄’ 𝗗𝗶𝗮𝗯𝗼𝗹𝗶𝗰𝗮𝗹 (2006)

𝐅𝐑𝐎𝐌 𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐂𝐑𝐘𝐏𝐓𝐒 - 𝐂𝐄𝐋𝐄𝐁𝐑𝐀𝐓𝐈𝐍𝐆 𝐏𝐀𝐒𝐓 𝐀𝐋𝐁𝐔𝐌 𝐑𝐄𝐋𝐄𝐀𝐒𝐄𝐒 𝐢𝐧 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐇𝐈𝐒𝐓𝐎𝐑𝐘 𝐨𝐟 𝐇𝐀𝐑𝐃 𝐑𝐎𝐂𝐊 & 𝐇𝐄𝐀𝐕𝐘 𝐌𝐄𝐓𝐀𝐋…

On this day (June 13) in 2006, Satyricon released their sixth full-length studio album “Now, Diabolical” via Century Media Records in North America. It was previously released in Europe on April 17, 2006 via Roadrunner Records.

Background:

AllMusic wrote of the album's style: "Satyricon still get a lot of flack every time a new album is released that doesn't conform to the outdated, rustic-necro-kvlt brand of Norwegian Black Metal they played in the early '90s (alongside Darkthrone, Ulver, Enslaved, etc.) Their sixth full album, “Now, Diabolical” is no exception, and it hardly out-shocks its similarly unconventional predecessor, 2002's “Volcano”; just brings the band's present mentality of addition by subtraction to its next logical step", describing, "...cuts like 'A New Enemy', 'That Darkness Shall Be Eternal' and the title track find the core duo of Satyr and Frost seeking simplicity above all else; consistently shunning complicated arrangements and overbearing displays of musicianship to exercise an almost industrial sense of discipline whilst executing their hypnotic riffs, sinister melodies and static tempos."

Blabbermouth.net opined, "Songs like the title track and 'K.I.N.G.' are all about the aforementioned groove. The driving rhythms and Satyr's vocal patterns are downright catchy. This is not about virtuosity or esoteric displays to prove an underground credibility. It is about hard driving tempos and head banging with a snarl on your face."

On the vinyl version, as well as on the Scarecrow Records limited edition CD of the album, there is a bonus track, "Storm (Of the Destroyer)". Two singles were released from the album: "K.I.N.G." and "The Pentagram Burns"; both with videoclips.

Critical Reception:

“Now, Diabolical” was met with mixed reviews and criticism from fans of Satyricon and Black Metal purists alike. Writing for AllMusic, Eduardo Rivadavia stated; “In sum, there's enough reverse musical heresy at hand on “Now, Diabolical”, to send the average Black Metal classicist scurrying for his coffin -- not least because Satyr and Frost are so obviously having a ball behind their ever-present scowls. Chances are, there are plenty of Black Metal fans nurturing secret upside-down frowns over “Now, Diabolical”. [The American edition of “Now, Diabolical”, released by Century Media instead of Roadrunner, contains a bonus track entitled "Storm (Of the Destroyer)," whose one-dimensional ferocity harks back to Satyricon's early days.]”

While James Montague and Jackie Smit at Chronicles of Chaos, both gave the album negative reviews, with Montague stating; “Ah, how the mighty have fallen. I must admit, it gives me a tingling sensation in the groin to hear just how low Satyr will go. But it's time to put the guy out of his misery, so when this album comes out at the end of April 2006, please don't buy it.”

With Jackie Smit writing; "Speaking as a fan of Satyricon's post “Nemesis Divina” output, it's surprising to find “Now, Diabolical” taking a decidedly more conservative approach than its predecessors. Where the band's last two albums scored big points by tossing out the rules and taking chances, “Now, Diabolical” plays it safe, taking its cue from 2002's “Volcano” and rarely deviating from its blueprint. At its best this yields some entertaining results, but likewise the faults on this effort are more glaringly obvious and one can't shake the feeling that perhaps his relative success has made Satyr Wongraven grow just a bit lazy."

“I never understood all of the negative press for “Now, Diabolical”, as it was a hard hitting and solid release from the elder Blacksmiths. Sure, it wasn’t old-school Satyricon or even “True” Black Metal by “Cult” definition of the genre, but it wasn’t a terrible release by any stretch of the imagination. In fact, I think it’s a spectacular release, and it was exactly the sort of album that the band needed to release at that time, just to piss off purists!” — E.N. Wells 4.0 stars

Links to Artists, Albums, and Music Videos:

Click this link to listen to “Now, Diabolical” via Apple Music: https://music.apple.com/us/album/now-diabolical/1045512588

Click here to watch the official music video for “K.I.N.G.”: https://youtu.be/NQQdsKH3Qt8

Click this link to follow Satyricon on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SatyriconOfficial

Note: The reviews shared here are for historical reference. The views and opinions expressed within are not always supported (in full or in part) by Into the Wells. — E.N. Wells

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𝗦𝗮𝘁𝘆𝗿𝗶𝗰𝗼𝗻 — 𝗡𝗼𝘄’ 𝗗𝗶𝗮𝗯𝗼𝗹𝗶𝗰𝗮𝗹 (2006)

Background:

Critical Reception:

Links to Artists, Albums, and Music Videos:

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