Red Harvest is a Norwegian band that’s been around since the late 80s and although the early stuff was pretty primitive thrash metal, it was with 2000's Cold Dark Matter that the band began to attain some recognition. The band started mixing in elements of industrial and electronic music to their thrash metal attack and have over the years become a powerful and intense outfit.

Last year’s A Greater Darkness saw the band finally attain some widespread recognition in the metal underworld, and listening to the album it’s not hard to see why. Over the last few albums, mainly the awesome Sick Transit Gloria Mundi and Internal Punishment Programs, the band has eased up on the claustrophobic industrial side just a little bit and allowed the music more room to breathe and create atmosphere. That progression continues on A Greater Darkness with the band relying more than ever on building and sustaining a dark cold atmosphere through the album.

While early influences may have been the thrash of Voivod and the industrial crunch of Godflesh, A Greater Darkness sees the band slowing down and adding elements of post metal ala Neurosis and some riffing that seems inspired by the black metal of their fellow countrymen.

Stand out tracks include the moody Hole in Me, the bombastic electro-martial sweep of Warthemes which brings Laibach to mind, and the superb I Sweat W.O.M.D. with its angular riffing and slowed down grooves. At the same time, there isn’t really a bad song on this album with every song helping to build the overall atmosphere of dread.

Red Harvest has made a terrific album here. A Greater Darkness is the band’s pinnacle of achievement. This is a band that deserves your attention.



Label - Season Of Mist
Year of Release - 2007