Arbitrator – Indoctrination Of Sacrilege


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Let’s get this out of the way now – the days when mixing samples and electronic music with your Metal was enough to make you different or “experimental” are long over. There’s still ground to be broken in this area, but it’s to do with how well those elements are integrated and made part of the song-writing, rather than just being there.

Arbitrator really want us to call them “Industrial Death Metal”, but on Indoctrination Of Sacrilege (Independent/self-released), that much-abused “I” word seems to mean nothing beyond some programmed drums, heavy use of samples and “atmospheric” synth passages. The use of electronic music and Dance elements in heavy, low-end Death Metal makes a comparison with The Monolith Death Cult hard for any lazy journalist to resist, and unfortunately for Arbitrator that comparison is not a flattering one. While their Dutch peers create a constant, ceaseless assault that jumps from torturous to comical as often as it moves between genres, Arbitrator go for a more sedentary, considered approach that initially seems boring or flat in comparison.

If this has been something of a roasting so far, then it’s not an entirely deserved one, and it’s time to flip the perspective a little. Once the lack of fireworks have been accounted for and expectations adjusted, there’s some effectively gloomy Death Metal, bordering on Doom in places, going on here. The band are tight and heavy, and have a good sense of dynamics that keeps their music thundering forward even when they bring the pace right down. The samples and electronic elements are largely well used – though they add little to the music, and have a tendency to fade into the background – and the album sustains an effective mood throughout.

Indoctrination Of Sacrilege is a competent, well-produced, entirely enjoyable album of atmospheric “Death Metal With Bits” from an unsigned band who may well achieve something genuinely worthwhile in their future, but as it stands is hard to get too excited about.

6.0/10

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RICHIE HR


Arbitrator Streaming Indoctrination of Sacrilege


Robert Kukla. Photo Credit: Paul Keely

Robert Kukla. Photo Credit: Paul Keely

Arbitrator is currently streaming their debut album Indoctrination of Sacrilege out February 13, 2015, here.

Indoctrination of Sacrilege is the by-product of nearly four years of my life. It is a collection of the investments, time, influences, and inspirations within those four years. Although I feel like I have outgrown myself, the album still stands as a testament of my passion for the art. It’s everything I wanted it to be, and I look forward to hearing what the friends and fans of Arbitrator have to say about it. I can guarantee that the album falls nothing short of genuine.” comments band founder Robert Kukla.

The album is produced by Sacha Laskow (ex-Divinity, Every Hour Kills) plus mastered by Jens Bogren (Opeth, Katatonia, Amon Amarth, Arch Enemy) along with album artwork done by Colin Marks (Exodus, Scar Symmetry, Jeff Loomis). ARBITRATOR is a project that began in late 2010 as the brainchild of Robert Kukla and officially debut in 2011 with the release “The Consummate Ascendancy” with former drummer Corey Chernesky.

The band now features a new arsenal that includes founder Robert Kukla on rhythm guitar, bass and vocals, Dirk Verbeuren (Soilwork, ex-Devin Townsend Project ex-Aborted) on drums, Myles Malloy on lead guitar and programmer Connor Ort.

Track Listing: Arbitrator – Indoctrination of Sacrilege
1. They Will Worship This Fire of Agony (6:41)
2. Stillborn Bastard of The Nazarene (6:50)
3. For That Which May Appease Lions (6:56)
4. Serpent of The Styx (8:41)
5. Profaned and Perfected (7:30)
6. The Burning Sands of His Kingdom (instrumental) (3:14)
Album Length: 39:54

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Arbitrator Streaming “For That Which May Appease Lions”


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Arbitrator is releasing their new album Indoctrination of Sacrilege on February 13, 2015. The album was produced by Sacha Laskow (ex-Divinity, Every Hour Kills) plus mastered by Jens Bogren (Opeth, Katatonia, Amon Amarth, Arch Enemy) along with album artwork done by Colin Marks (Exodus, Scar Symmetry, Jeff Loomis). Check out the free download of “For That Which May Appease Lions” here and here.

ARBITRATOR is a project that began in late 2010 as the brainchild of Robert Kukla and officially debut in 2011 with the EP The Consummate Ascendancy with former drummer Corey Chernesky. Now with a new arsenal that features Kukla on rhythm guitar, bass and vocals with drummer Dirk Verbeuren (Soilwork, ex-Devin Townsend Project, ex-Aborted), Myles Malloy on lead guitar and Connor ORT Linning for programming.

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1. They Will Worship This Fire of Agony (6:41)
2. Stillborn Bastard of The Nazarene (6:50)
3. For That Which May Appease Lions (6:56)
4. Serpent of The Styx (8:41)
5. Profaned and Perfected (7:30)
6. The Burning Sands of His Kingdom (instrumental) (3:14)
Album Length: 39:54


Arbitrator Hires Dirk Verbeuren (Soilwork) For Indoctrine of Sacrilege


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Arbitrator is releasing their first full length album Indoctrination of Sacrilege in 2015, and the brainchild of Robert Kukla has brought in drummer Dirk Verbeuren (Soilwork, ex-Devin Townsend Project, ex-Aborted), along with a new support band (Myles Malloy on lead guitar and Connor ORT Linning on programming). Listen to “For That Which May Appease Lions” here. Watch Verbeuren on Toontrack.com’s YouTube channel via a drum playthrough video performing “For That Which May Appease Lions” here.

Listen to their debut 2011 EP The Consummate Ascendancy here.

The album was produced by Sacha Laskow (ex-Divinity, Every Hour Kills), mastered by Jens Bogren (Opeth, Katatonia, Amon Amarth, Arch Enemy), and artwork done by Colin Marks (Exodus, Scar Symmetry, Jeff Loomis).

1. They Will Worship This Fire of Agony (6:41)
2. Stillborn Bastard of The Nazarene (6:50)
3. For That Which May Appease Lions (6:56)
4. Serpent of The Styx (8:41)
5. Profaned and Perfected (7:30)
6. The Burning Sands of His Kingdom (instrumental) (3:14)
Album Length: 39:54

arbitrator_-_album_cover_small

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Arbitrator on YouTube
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