OLD MAN’S CHILD – Vermin

Old Man’s Child, the firstborn of Dimmu Borgir guitarist Galder, has produced several solid Black Metal albums throughout their 12-year history. Ill-Natured Spiritual Invasion and Revelation 666 are semi-classics among fans of the melodic and “commercial” part of the genre, and there are without doubt lots of curious blackened souls out there eager to see what OMC’s latest release, Vermin, can offer.

This has always been Galder’s band, although several more or less prominent guests have played on several of the albums – Tjodalv (Dimmu Borgir), Silenoz (Dimmu Borgir), Nick Barker (Dimmu Borgir, Cradle of Filth), Reno Killerich (who also takes care of the battering duties on Vermin), Cyrus (Susperia, Satyricon), Gene Hoglan (Death, Strapping Young Lad), and all in all a total of 23 different musicians have contributed to Old Man’s Child so far.

This time around, Galder takes care of the guitar, bass, vocals, and keyboard duties himself, and does so in a good, although by no means spectacular, way. Anyway, this music is not about instrumental perfection, but about atmosphere and emotion … and, of course, it is about good songs. Galder has, as mentioned, penned quite a few before, but unfortunately Vermin is another disappointment after 2003’s mediocre release, In Defiance of Existence. It lacks the flair and inspiration of the band’s highlights, and only once, on “War of Fidelity,” does Galder get even close to former heights in terms of composition. All of the elements that made Old Man’s Child what they are/were are present – the very “Abyss Studio”-sounding, fuzzy guitars, the choir “aah” and string-sounding synths, the hammering drums, and the very characteristic voice of the man himself.

Unfortunately, the album lacks in the song writing department, which really isn’t a big surprise considering the workload resting on this man’s shoulders (being a major creative force in two major label BM bands). Still, this is a pity, when knowing what this band/man has come up with earlier. May every dark power guide him back on track.