The world is always shocked when the evil frontman of an accomplished death metal band reveals interest in softer, more accessible music. I don’t even think it was a year ago that news broke about David Vincent of Morbid Angel fame having a country band he was playing out with, but in actuality it’s a simple explanation: they can do whatever the hell they want. Nergal of Behemoth, Poland’s blackened-death metal pride and joy, joins that collective of musicians by teaming up with John Porter on Me and That Man’s Songs of Love and Death, which could not be more of a polar opposite to the rest of his discography if he tried. Stepping outside of the prolific career he’s had, Me and That Man allows the often-demonic frontman to show a new side of himself, one that we rarely get to see.
Me and That Man has been teased for a while now, if I recall correctly. Nergal has avoided rushing into a new Behemoth album, and instead put time and effort into making Songs happen in the first place. Between him and Porter, the two have crafted an accessible and enjoyable album from start to finish, one that stumbles a bit now and then, but is as a whole a very easy album to digest. Generally good songs, as well as some create songwriting ideas that blossom as songs go on help separate this album from being your typical country/blues album with Nergal and Porter singing on it.
Songs is a very Earthly album, whereas you could consider Nergal’s back catalogue much more ethereal judging by the size Behemoth’s sound takes. Me and That Man won’t be singing about Aeons or tearing down Churches, but you’ll still get songs about devils, (“Better the Devil I Know”) complete with tasty organ solos and a female vocal accompaniment that elevates the song’s chorus to a new height beyond the range Nergal posses. For such a grounded sound and aesthetic, Me and That Man know how to fluctuate their song structures, making them sound larger to drive home that impact, but also match that same force with the quieter moments, such as the contrasting track “Of Sirens, Vampires and Lovers.”
Both Nergal and Porter, as musicians and vocalists, blend extremely well together, as well. Trading off songs and ultimately sharing the vocal duties at times, (“Ain’t Much Loving,” “Magdalene”) the two have a chemistry that’s obvious from a first listen, but it’s the individual passion for the project that each one has that makes it so special. So obvious is it that both men put in equal amounts of effort and share enthusiasm for good songwriting that they’ve managed to really on a songwriting front. The previously mentioned songs, as well as a few others like “My Church is Black” truly excel at being a display of substance over style.
While songs may veer out of it, there’s a dark atmosphere and slight sense of melancholy and lovesickness about at times. While Nergal and Porter aren’t singing a three octave range, they do what’s best for the song, to where the honesty from each of them is at the forefront. Nergal not only compliments but also contrasts Porter at times. Where Nergal might have a more distorted effect voice, Porter’s appears more clean and softer, giving a different take on that “clean” and “harsh” vocals that we so label in metal music. It’s not dark in the Behemoth sense, but in more emotional and human ways.
At times, however, Songs suffers from genericism, a crime which it commits throughout its runtime. At 13 tracks and 46-minutes, Me and That Man definitely emphasize good songwriting instead of rewriting the country/blues rulebook, yet sometimes song ideas don’t play out like they usually do and can drag on. Typically, however, these moments are eventually rectified by a change in the songwriting, which ultimately help distinguish the song from the rest. It’s a double-edged sword, no doubt, but at least the band’s intentions are clear.
Me and That Man is a nice change of pace for Nergal, one that ultimately feels more complete with Porter being so involved with the project. Songs of Love and Death may not break new ground in the genre, but it’s clear for both musicians it’s a passion project and one that they took time and effort to conjure. There’ll be a day where Nergal won’t be able to continue with Behemoth, but if this is what he’ll be able to do as a musician afterwards or between albums, I’m certainly interested and curious.
Songs of Love and Death is available now.
