ALBUM REVIEW: New Man, New Songs, Same Shit, Vol. 1 – Me And That Man
Three years after the debut album from Nergal‘s dark folk/blues project, ME AND THAT MAN, a return has been made with New Man, New Songs, Same Shit, Vol.1. Songs of Love and Death captured the attention of many outside of his usual fan base, and shone a new light on the menacing artist we knew him best as. After losing ‘That Man’ John Porter from the debut, this album steps it up to a new level with more diversity and a depth in the Americana influenced roots that have inspired this project. With an army of guests such as Matt Heafy (TRIVIUM), Corey Taylor (SLIPKNOT/STONE SOUR), Johanna Sadonis and Nicke Andersson (LUCIFER), and many more, will evil sound as good as it did last time round?
Opening the album is Run With The Devil feat. Jørgen Munkeby of Norway’s SHINING. The progression forward is instant, and it holds no illusion that what is going to be delivered is going to be an insight in how exploring other avenues of music can build something rather special. Coming Home (Sivert Høyem – MADRUGADA) and Burning Churches (Mat McNerney – GRAVE PLEASURES) continues with the same fire that Run With The Devil kick-started, however at this point you can tell how each guest has delivered a new distinguished character to the music.
New Man, New Songs, Same Shit, Vol.1 has delved into the Americana roots more in-depth this time round, and the sincerity of the exploration shows effortlessly with what has been crafted together. At some points there are hints of challenging moments from the guests contributions, but it adds to the atmosphere and shows how seriously everyone took their shift in style. That challenge doesn’t create a negative impact on the sound, or atmosphere, but in fact makes everything feel a little more dangerous.
When the album hits Męstwo, the only polish-sung and only solo song, there’s a very personal and intimate feel that echoes from Nergal. For a man who once stated that everything sounds so much cooler in the English language, he has managed to make the Polish language just as rock and roll.
As the album moves further along, there becomes this almost sultry feel to the sound. There’s a certain way the vocals and music accompany each other, it almost resonates how a Tango or Paso Doble are performed, determining on what light it is seen in. Some songs feel more like a Paso Doble with how the vocals almost feel like they’re enticing the music into something dark, the Matador vs. the Bull. The Tango in the sense of there being a fiery passion between two lovers. Regardless of the interpretation, everything that comes out of this album is sensual, and sexy.
As the album closes, we hear the two styles of music that have been associated with Nergal combined, and ultimately turned into something that shouldn’t work, but does in an outstanding fashion. Confession feat. Niklas Kvarforth (Sweden’s black metal SHINING) begins almost sounding defeated, it is solemn and filled with agony, but as it comes to a swift end, there are fast-paced black metal riffs and drum work to accompany the anguished screams that are associated with the genre. It is here where we can see just how much work is put into an album of total difference, and yet holds so many similarities.
New Man, New Songs, Same Shit, Vol.1 is one that holds a great deal of passion for not just a style of music, but the history that surrounds it and makes it so unique. What ME AND THAT MAN and guests have done is moulded all of their own characteristics, passions, knowledge, and skills into an album that is of pure excellence. Despite the dark, solemn feelings that creep out of the music lies a balance of feisty attitudes that create electricity like no other. Regardless of what end of the spectrum you fall on with music, this one isn’t one to be a disappointment as it has no shortfalls in being pleasurable for all.
Rating: 9/10
New Man, New Songs, Same Shit, Vol.1 is out now via Napalm Records.
