Conspiracy Netherlands

"This is one of those black metal releases that have received both praise and really scathing criticism of the very same characteristica. With "Irremediable", Conspiracy has been criticized for being too melodic and too cheesy by some, while others have hailed it as being refreshing and innovative because of the very same symphonic and melodic approach.

I think that it is quite obvious that "Irremediable" is anchored in the black metal genre, and there are plenty of black metal elements like chaotic and atmospheric riffage, blastbeats and harsh snarling vocals, but there is quite an emphasis on melody and there are several very melodic lead guitar patterns, and more - and more shreddy - guitar solos than what one might be accustomed to in black metal. In addition, there are several symphonic effects, including a ubiquitous King Diamond-esque organ, and several passages sound like power metal, speed metal and traditional metal rather than all out black metal.

I don't have a problem with the melodic approach, and I don't mind the inspiration from power, speed and traditional metal, because I think it all adds to the variety that characterizes this album. But the organ really annoys me. It is not only ubiquitous, it is also very dominant in the mix, and I do not think that smothering everything with organ effects (and other synth effects) did this release any favors - rather it turned it into quite the cheesefest, which is a shame because - other than that - I do not think this is such a bad black metal release.

Well, that is, the King Diamond influences, I think, are fair enough, because Diamond is a very influential figure in metal, and he has released a lot of awesome material throughout the years. But King Diamond is King Diamond, and Conspiracy is not King Diamond - and I think that those places where Conspiracy really draw extensively on King Diamond do not work that well, and they sound more like someone unsuccessfully trying to imitate King Diamond.

Apart from that, and the organ cheesefest, I do not agree with the really scathing negative reviews I have read. I think this is a decent and varied black metal release.

(review originally posted on metalmusicarchives.com)"