Hehe! Gotta love these guys. Their stated calling as acolytes of Epic Pastoral Doom Metal already elicited some evil chuckles over at the RMR Review Desk. No note has rang out yet, and already Fvneral Fvkk‘s (imagined) genre exudes that musty musky1 odor of pasty, slightly sweaty men in robes from another world, chanting weirdly in vast, empty buildings surrounded by scented smoke. Dire cases of modern sorcery duly established. Right?
Now, the main motif of the band’s very existence is the bane of the Catholic Church. The proven records of sexual abuse and other aberrations of the church are legion. A festering wound, a truly daemonic undercurrent the acolytes of the Nailed God have failed to address and – more importantly – fix to this day. A church infested by the very same dark forces it claims to defend humanity against? Quite. Let the Indecent Idols speak, will ya?
Carnal Confessions already made a splash over here. One that landed FF‘s prowess straight on our 2019 Top 10. And since then, nada. The band took its sweet time renewing their eternal vows of chastity and further lamenting their cause. But luckily, today, the RMR crew is happy to report that the idols – indeed – spake again. Indecent Idols pretty much continues in the same vein its predecessor already explored. The band yet again leads off with fake catholic, priestly chanting2 followed by beautifully crafted doom fare. Truly melodic, halting tunes that are at the same time harrowing and gripping, the way well-aged altar wine would taste. You know, the stuff used for those aftershow parties in these very own locales once the lights are out and the trusty congregation left.3
In other words, Indecent Idols dishes out masterfully crafted morsels of Doom Metal. And while last time the RMR crew saw FF‘s musings visit the obscure corners where Paradise Lost likes to simmer in quiet fury, this time we heard more Candlemass and Khemmis. Same as before, the flow and songsmithery are outstanding, supported by a production that leaves nothing to chance. Albeit, the overall structure of the tracks appears to be simpler and – in this sense – a bit more accessible than before. That said, you’ll find several instances where harsher parts were inserted, seemingly to make a point (The Beasts of Speyer, for instance). Meaning, you’ll find a decent selection of hot ‘n’ cold, of deliberate songsmithing done to drive home certain points. And yet again, Fvneral Fvkk‘s Cantor Cinaedicus delivered his full-throated vocals in clear voice without any growls for special effect. And this is yet another positive point working in their favor. Albeit, Bishop Of The Iron Guard contains some daemon-like voice that could be interpreted as such.
You may have noticed. It took the band an awful long time to produce a new record. But, I must say, the band really spent their time well and went for some well-researched sub-themes to further their cause. For example, A Hidden Threnody is garnished with excerpts of a deposition by the American Archbishop Robert Carlson in 2014. A clergyman hit by general amnesia and an – allegedly – generally appalling knowledge of basic law and common sense.4 Strangely, the song itself speaks of crimes committed in Australia, not the US. So, we’re a bit confused where the band’s going with that one. The last track worth noting probably is Leichensynode. This one speaks of a truly bizarre event in church history where the dead Pope Formosus was put on trial in the year of the Dark Lord, 897, for alleged crimes during his lifetime.
Ultimately, Indecent Idols yet again shows a band still in its prime. The style is undeniably Fvneral Fvkk, and it did not change over the years, either. This is perfectly fine. But note that it takes considerable skill to sell the same wares all over again and not make it sound like stale leftovers. And yet again, this band has delivered beautifully.
So, for those in need of a marvellously tasty slice of expertly constructed Doom Metal of the first order, this is the record we suggest you listen to next. Enjoy!
Record Rating: 8/10 | Label: Dying Victims | Web: Official Band Site
Release Date: 23 October 2026
- Ah no, do not even think that thought. Elon Musk ain’t part of this here thought experiment. Although, he seems to have his very own issues these days. -Ed.-↩
- A canon it is, we’re told.-↩
- Think this is heretical? Think again. Go ahead, research it. And you shall find. -Ed.-↩
- For those with their pants all up in knots because RMR’s naming names, I invite you to watch Carlson’s full deposition on YouTube. He said a whopping 193 times that he doesn’t remember. Apart from famously claiming that he didn’t know that child abuse was a crime. Blatant amnesia by someone who should be fit for service for a few more years, huh? -Ed.-↩