Description

Electic Hellfire Club – Electronomicon – Compact Disc

Electronomicon is the fourth studio album by the Electric Hellfire Club, released in 2002. The Electric Hellfire Club is a controversial band that blends industrial, electronic, and heavy metal music with occult and satanic themes. Known for their provocative imagery and dark, sinister aesthetic, the band was founded by Thomas Thorn (aka Rev. Thomas Thorn) after his previous band, My Life with the Thrill Kill Kult. The group has a cult following, particularly within the gothic, industrial, and darkwave scenes.

Electronomicon continues the band’s tradition of combining electronic beats, heavy guitars, and dark lyrics focused on occultism, mysticism, and rebellion. The album draws heavily from themes of Satanism and Aleister Crowley’s philosophies, while the music itself is a fusion of aggressive industrial metal with atmospheric electronic elements.

Electronomicon is a concept album that explores dark, esoteric themes, presented through the band’s signature mix of industrial electronics, heavy metal riffs, and darkwave atmospheres. Some standout tracks include:

‘Sons of the Serpent’ – A heavy industrial track with crushing guitar riffs and dark, atmospheric synthesizers. The song’s lyrics delve into occult imagery and satanic themes, typical of the band’s style.

‘Into The Abyss’ – This track features a blend of harsh electronics and gothic undertones, with a driving rhythm and haunting melodies. The song title alludes to Aleister Crowley’s book of the same name, fitting into the album’s esoteric themes.

‘Wired in Blood’ – An intense, high-energy industrial metal track that showcases the band’s ability to combine electronic programming with metal guitar riffs. The vocals are aggressive, reflecting the rebellion and dark mysticism at the core of the band’s philosophy.

‘Hypochristian’ – A critique of organized religion, especially Christianity, this song mixes dark humor and criticism of religious hypocrisy. Musically, it combines heavy metal influences with dark, gothic elements, creating a haunting yet powerful sound.

‘Nordland’ – A slower, more atmospheric track that brings in darkwave elements, featuring ominous synthesizers and layered vocals. The song builds tension and atmosphere, emphasizing the band’s skill in creating dark, immersive soundscapes.

Electronomicon is steeped in occult and satanic imagery, drawing inspiration from sources like Aleister Crowley, Anton LaVey, and other figures associated with occult philosophies. The band’s lyrics often critique organized religion, particularly Christianity, and explore themes of rebellion, individualism, and empowerment through darker spiritual paths.

Musically, the album fuses industrial metal with elements of gothic rock and electro-industrial, characterized by heavy guitar riffs, mechanical electronic beats, and eerie atmospheres. The band’s sound on this album is aggressive yet atmospheric, combining the intensity of metal with the cold, calculated precision of electronic music.

Electronomicon is a well-regarded album within the industrial and gothic metal scenes, particularly among fans of dark, provocative music with occult themes. While the Electric Hellfire Club remains a niche band due to their controversial subject matter, they have cultivated a devoted fanbase. The album’s combination of industrial sounds with heavy metal and darkwave atmospheres resonates with fans of bands like Ministry, NIN, and Danzig.

For those interested in exploring the darker side of industrial and metal music, ‘Electronomicon’ offers an intense, esoteric experience that blends music with occult philosophy and rebellion.

For the longest time, Rob Zombie wished he could have been as cool as Electric Hellfire Club. Ironically enough, the release of Electronomicon sees the seminal gothic fave gone in Zombie’s direction by employing ever more industrial-strength repetitive guitar thrashing and catchy choruses with far less doomy, keyboard-drenched dance fare.

The addition of several prominent guest musicians from the underground black metal scene (from Dark Funeral, Hypocrisy, and In Aeternum) is apparent from the noticeably increased heft; however, the campy fun that has always been EHC’s trademark remains in spite of this. ‘Hypochristian’ is the indicative track, consisting of a simple loop and a greasy riff right out of Zodiac Mindwarp’s bag of tricks, leading the way beneath cynical, silly, anti-Christian rhetoric.

Track Listing
1. Into The Abyss
2. Wired In Blood
3. Sons Of The Serpent
4. Hyprochristian
5. Stockholm Syndrome
6. Whores Of Babylon
7. Broken Goetia
8. I Dream Of Demons
9. Nordland
10. Tannhauser Gate
11. This Is The Zodiac
12. Hymn To The Fallen
13. Keys To The Kingdom