Imhotep Review

By: Peter Loftus
April 20th 2013

VON - Dark Gods: Seven Billion Slaves Album Review

Finally, after years of prayer to the eponymous Dark Gods, here we are with the second proper full-length album from seminal USBM act VON. The things that worked with vintage VON were for me the insane single-mindedness with which they approached their music and the atmosphere they managed to create. But the release of a 2013 album begs the question – would it be enough for VON to simply repeat what they had done 20 years ago on the “Satanic Blood” demo? And if not – if VON sought to expand on their sound, how would they do it and manage to stay true to themselves?“Dark Gods – Seven Billion Slaves" begins with a slow build, dirty, grungy and doom-laden, that worryingly on first listen, lasts for the opening song and half of the second (about 10 minutes in total). Then, it is business as usual with VON hitting their trademark repetitive full speed, and the intro starts to make sense. VON have pushed the envelope in terms of sound by spending time building atmosphere and creating a contrast and welcome variety against the faster numbers.

As the album grinds on, we return to more familiar VON territory with every fearful step, but with slower dirge-like, teetering passages that help evoke the blood-crazed, hypnotic nightmare world we expect from this act.  Ultimately, “Dark Gods – Seven Billion Slaves" is everything I wanted it to be and more. VON 2013 are as frightening and captivating as ever, and that is saying something because they have had to broaden their sound in order to bridge a gap of 20 years and make themselves relevant all over again in a scene that despite much imitation and sheep-like activity, has also seen much innovation and expansion. The inclusion of so much slower material at the start and end might take a little getting used to, but it makes sense when we look at this record as a whole and not a set of disassociated tracks. The production is great too – it is modern and clear, but full of darkness and blood. Just the way we like it.

Rating: 5.5 / 6

(Source: imhotep.no) *site defunct

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)
0:00/???
  1. 1
    They Have Come (Digital Edition) 3:23
    0:00/3:23
  2. 2
    Ancient Flesh of The Dark Gods Feat. D & C (Coffinworm) (Digital Edition) 10:09
    0:00/10:09
  3. 3
    Hands of Black Death (Digital Edition) 6:14
    0:00/6:14
  4. 4
    Dark Gods (Digital Edition) 2:59
    0:00/2:59
  5. 5
    MONSTER! (Digital Edition) 5:32
    0:00/5:32
  6. 6
    RawRot (Digital Edition) 7:40
    0:00/7:40
  7. 7
    DevilWhore (Digital Edition) 6:02
    0:00/6:02
  8. 8
    iAmInHuman (Digital Edition) 6:03
    0:00/6:03
  9. 9
    Black Eyes (Digital Edition) 6:07
    0:00/6:07