Review by Carl on April 16, 2020.

I remember back in the day when this gang of ruffians released their infamous debut with its equally infamous coprophilic cover art and that the editorial pages of metal magazines were filled with disgusted and outraged reactions for months to come after that. Where has the time gone, one asks himself. After that, the band kept it going with their own brand of hedonistic fury and filth. It must be noted that for the troupe of porn addict hooligans that they are, the band is actually pretty competent at what they do, a fact they make clear once again on Mayhem Doctrine.

From the first note, they launch into their death metal assault with raging determination to bludgeon the listener into squash, and it's interesting to note that Waco Jesus doesn't sound like most of the brutal death metal legions out there. Their sound is firmly rooted into death metal of the early 90's like early Hypocrisy, Sinister (NL), Cannibal Corpse with Chris Barnes and "Harmony Corruption" era Napalm Death. The riffing is executed with punkish fluidity while the percussion keeps it all together with furious blasts, thrashy mid-tempo rhythms and slower, groovier parts to assure the short songs keep varied and interesting. On top of all that is the aggressive bark of vocalist Shane, spouting the vile lyrics over the violent death/grind. His is a style that's not as low as you have become as accustomed to from other BDM vocalists, utilizing a gruff, growling style that has more to do with bands like Repulsion, Deicide or Atrocity (US). They deliver their assault with hardcore energy, more akin to the approach of how the more aggressive thrash bands (think Dark Angel or early Num Skull) deliver their punch. They keep it swinging throughout and after a few listens these songs will be planted firmly into your deteriorating brain.

This is fierce death metal, steeped in old school attitude, with memorable songs, great production and dripping malicious aggression and if you're into violent death/grind you should have a field day grinding this down. Just try not to injure any old ladies while listening to this.

Rating: 8 out of 10

Review by Carl on April 16, 2020.

I remember back in the day when this gang of ruffians released their infamous debut with its equally infamous coprophilic cover art and that the editorial pages of metal magazines were filled with disgusted and outraged reactions for months to come after that. Where has the time gone, one asks himself. After that, the band kept it going with their own brand of hedonistic fury and filth. It must be noted that for the troupe of porn addict hooligans that they are, the band is actually pretty competent at what they do, a fact they make clear once again on Mayhem Doctrine.

From the first note, they launch into their death metal assault with raging determination to bludgeon the listener into squash, and it's interesting to note that Waco Jesus doesn't sound like most of the brutal death metal legions out there. Their sound is firmly rooted into death metal of the early 90's like early Hypocrisy, Sinister (NL), Cannibal Corpse with Chris Barnes and "Harmony Corruption" era Napalm Death. The riffing is executed with punkish fluidity while the percussion keeps it all together with furious blasts, thrashy mid-tempo rhythms and slower, groovier parts to assure the short songs keep varied and interesting. On top of all that is the aggressive bark of vocalist Shane, spouting the vile lyrics over the violent death/grind. His is a style that's not as low as you have become as accustomed to from other BDM vocalists, utilizing a gruff, growling style that has more to do with bands like Repulsion, Deicide or Atrocity (US). They deliver their assault with hardcore energy, more akin to the approach of how the more aggressive thrash bands (think Dark Angel or early Num Skull) deliver their punch. They keep it swinging throughout and after a few listens these songs will be planted firmly into your deteriorating brain.

This is fierce death metal, steeped in old school attitude, with memorable songs, great production and dripping malicious aggression and if you're into violent death/grind you should have a field day grinding this down. Just try not to injure any old ladies while listening to this.

Rating: 8 out of 10

Review by Jack on March 7, 2002.

The scary thing about this contemporary, mechanical neo-Ulver is that straight from the word go I could successfully distinguish that this was in fact Ulver, the new non-black metal Ulver. While this may seem like an absurd and weird statement; the overall and uncompromising realisation for all of us is that Ulver as what we knew a few years ago is dead and buried and we must embrace the ideals of Ulver (present day) or be forever consumed by the cyberness of Ulver-urban style...

“Silence Teaches You How to Sing” picks up where “Perdition City” left off, being the second part of the trilogy of “Perdition City”, “Silence Teaches You How to Sing” and “Silencing the Singing”. Mechanistic and calculated in its inception the trilogy navigates the weird and wonderful world that is firmly locked away in the creative brains of a few famous musical oddities; Garm being one such oddity.

Whilst not titled anywhere on the single from Ulver, there is only one song and one must assume the title refers to the single track. A lengthy affair of a shade under 25 minutes, 'Silence Teaches You How to Sing' once again delves into the night music of “Perdition City”. Through seedy jazz bars and dark metropolitan alleyways Garm and Co. one again give realisation to the fact that there is a world besides metal. A whirring transition of beeps and whistles similar to that of skipping or fastforwarding tracks on the latest CD your dad purchased you or perhaps changing the channels on the television. In combination with more prominent mood sections of “Perdition City”, “Silence Teaches You How to Sing” once again opens the door to the realm of lounge music.

All is well if you are a fan of present day Ulver, one should definitely grab this lovely masterpiece, if however you are not a fan of what Ulver had to offer on “Perdition City” then perhaps a large step in the opposite direction may be a wise move.

Bottom Line: Appealing to present day Ulver junkies (like me), “Silence Teaches You How to Sing” is a specialist album that is crafty as it is intelligent. Definitely an acquired “Perdition City” taste.

Categorical Rating Breakdown

Originality: 7
Musicianship: 9
Atmosphere: 10
Production: 9
Overall: 9

Rating: 8.8 out of 10

Review by Jack on March 7, 2002.

The scary thing about this contemporary, mechanical neo-Ulver is that straight from the word go I could successfully distinguish that this was in fact Ulver, the new non-black metal Ulver. While this may seem like an absurd and weird statement; the overall and uncompromising realisation for all of us is that Ulver as what we knew a few years ago is dead and buried and we must embrace the ideals of Ulver (present day) or be forever consumed by the cyberness of Ulver-urban style...

“Silence Teaches You How to Sing” picks up where “Perdition City” left off, being the second part of the trilogy of “Perdition City”, “Silence Teaches You How to Sing” and “Silencing the Singing”. Mechanistic and calculated in its inception the trilogy navigates the weird and wonderful world that is firmly locked away in the creative brains of a few famous musical oddities; Garm being one such oddity.

Whilst not titled anywhere on the single from Ulver, there is only one song and one must assume the title refers to the single track. A lengthy affair of a shade under 25 minutes, 'Silence Teaches You How to Sing' once again delves into the night music of “Perdition City”. Through seedy jazz bars and dark metropolitan alleyways Garm and Co. one again give realisation to the fact that there is a world besides metal. A whirring transition of beeps and whistles similar to that of skipping or fastforwarding tracks on the latest CD your dad purchased you or perhaps changing the channels on the television. In combination with more prominent mood sections of “Perdition City”, “Silence Teaches You How to Sing” once again opens the door to the realm of lounge music.

All is well if you are a fan of present day Ulver, one should definitely grab this lovely masterpiece, if however you are not a fan of what Ulver had to offer on “Perdition City” then perhaps a large step in the opposite direction may be a wise move.

Bottom Line: Appealing to present day Ulver junkies (like me), “Silence Teaches You How to Sing” is a specialist album that is crafty as it is intelligent. Definitely an acquired “Perdition City” taste.

Categorical Rating Breakdown

Originality: 7
Musicianship: 9
Atmosphere: 10
Production: 9
Overall: 9

Rating: 8.8 out of 10