Absolute Hell Review

By: Zachary C. Dendinger
Nov 14th 2013

VON - Dark Gods: Seven Billion Slaves Album Review

If you know black metal and don’t know VON, I’m not sure what to tell you. One of the first American black metal bands (along with N.M.E. and the like), VON were massively influential in the second wave scene, and perhaps gained much of their fame because of the fact that Varg Vikernes wore one of their shirts during his trials. After a couple decades of little to no activity, VON have recently reformed, and have just released the first in their Dark Gods trilogy: Seven Billion Slaves.

From track one, “They Have Come”, it is apparent that VON have moved past their barbaric, minimalist black metal of old and have evolved into something more complex, more atmospheric, and, in many ways, significantly more evil. Riffs aren’t simple, repetitious and primitive – they are dark, abstract, and compelling (see “Hands of Death”, “DevilWhore”, “RawRot”). Vocals really stand out as well, especially in “Black Eyes”. VENIEN’s voice still sounds like something straight from Hell, and it is guaranteed to send chills down the spines of the uninitiated. “Ancient Flesh of the Dark Gods” is most certainly one of the strongest tracks – a ten-minute blackened doom epic that features members of the excellent COFFINWORM.

Admittedly, Dark Gods: Seven Billion Slaves isn’t profoundly impressive or especially groundbreaking. However, it does what it does extremely well. There are most certainly moments where VON returns to their primitive roots, but, for the most part, they have matured beyond themselves. Unfortunately,Seven Billion Slaves will most likely continue to suffer critically because of all the hype surrounding it. It is, after all, the return of the mighty VON. But, when examined objectively, it is an extremely strong and effective black metal release that I HIGHLY recommend. Forget everything you know about VON, throw away your expectations, and enjoy.

- Zachary C. Dendinger

Score: 90%

Standout tracks: “Hands of Black Death”, “Ancient Flesh of the Dark Gods”, “DevilWhore”, “RawRot”, “Black Eyes”

(Source: absolutehell.net) *site removed review

VON - Dark Gods: Seven Billion Slaves (Open Edition) (Digital Album)

vVurMzflessshhh Publishing

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Cat/Sku#: VR D0009 Artist: VON Title: Dark Gods: Seven Billion Slaves (Open Edition) (Digital Album) Volume: Dark Gods Vol.I Audio Format: Digital Publisher/Distributor: Von Records (USA) Digital Release Date: 2013 Read more
Cat/Sku#: VR D0009

Artist: VON
Title: Dark Gods: Seven Billion Slaves (Open Edition) (Digital Album)
Volume: Dark Gods Vol.I
Audio Format: Digital
Publisher/Distributor: Von Records (USA)
Digital Release Date: 2013
Illustration: VENIEN

Track-Listing:
01. They Have Come
02. Ancient Flesh of The Dark Gods Feat. D & C (Coffinworm)
03. Hands of Black Death
04. Dark Gods
05. MONSTER!
06. RawRot
07. DevilWhore
08. iAmInHuMan
09. Black Eyes

Recoding Lineup:
Jason Ventura (VENIEN) (vocals | bass)
Jon Gonzalez (Lord Giblete) (guitar)
Charlie Fell (drums)
Special Guests: vocals by D (Coffinworm) & guitar solo by C (Coffinworm)
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  1. 1
    They Have Come (Digital Edition) 3:23
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  2. 2
    Ancient Flesh of The Dark Gods Feat. D & C (Coffinworm) (Digital Edition) 10:09
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  3. 3
    Hands of Black Death (Digital Edition) 6:14
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  4. 4
    Dark Gods (Digital Edition) 2:59
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  5. 5
    MONSTER! (Digital Edition) 5:32
    0:00/5:32
  6. 6
    RawRot (Digital Edition) 7:40
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  7. 7
    DevilWhore (Digital Edition) 6:02
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  8. 8
    iAmInHuman (Digital Edition) 6:03
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  9. 9
    Black Eyes (Digital Edition) 6:07
    0:00/6:07