A unique composition of progressive/experimental black metal. When tuning in to the first song “Heist” you can hear some unconventional stuff going down right there. The progression of the different instruments, the changes and the sound-scape as a whole leaves nobody questioning about the formidable sound of the band. There are so many things going on at the same time and whilst the sound keeps escalating, it sometimes goes into a mode of dwelling. Afterwards releasing its tentacles, grabbing you by the head and forcing you to listen to it. It’s one of those songs that make it impossible to turn it off, also because of the singer’s unorthodox use of her own throat. Sometimes I feel like its an alien being trying to communicate with us. One of the best parts in this song are the blast beats entering into the picture, with such majestic use of force that it’s almost ridiculous.
They pinpoint the concrete black metal feeling by just doing that, it feels almost like the greater northern bands that you’ve wished to turn on right in this moment. Some of their strengths are their unique setting of the sound-scape and how everything seems to be so complex. It doesn’t sound like your regular run-to-the-mill band trying to make itself stand out without doing anything. I sense that there’s some tough and dedicated people that have decided to make something of their own. Everything seems so out of place but at the same time in the place, as they churn out their last melodies and burn out like a lit fire.
With the next song “Sentinel” they turn up the speed a notch, before prancingly delivering a double-edged sword in the name of a base drum. There’s a lot of focus on the different progressions of the song, as there is a lot of variation in the mix. I also think that the post-metal sound makes a off-shoot into the more melodic sound-scape. As they make you delve into the sea with them, beneath the surface and put on a show of absolute brilliance. You make yourself hold your breath as you’re forced down the maelstrom of great metal. As they began to progress a lot more, they simply shut it down and go into a more sullen mood.
As you least expect it, they charge you from behind with the dagger and put it into your back. As every nerve of your body is focusing on the pain, they deliver the musical coup de grace and wave goodbye. Their singer has some great potential when it comes to the unconventional way in which he almost growls, I’m not sure what she was trying to do, but it seriously sounds like something that’s not from this planet. It sounds like something I’ve never heard before, which gives me time to reconcile about her presence in the song. But somehow its close and touchingly in harmony with the crazy riffing and drumming going on later into the song.
If someone needed a vitamin injection, they sure as hell got it via “To Tear Down” which is basically a mammoth when it comes to the post-metal stuff we all fancy. I haven’t really delved deeper into that genre, but I feel like it reminds me a lot of the post-hardcore, but gives me the metal vibe that I sure as hell am needing. Things that amaze me with this song is how they manage to keep it so tight, since their complex structures revolve around each other like locusts feasting on everything they can get a hold to. One thing that was welcomed is the more technical metal feeling to it, when everything became a lot more jazzed up.
Certainly, the baseline in this song is probably one of the best things I’ve heard for a long while. Also, the vocalist never ceases to amaze me with her weird appearance musically, as her technique is fascinating on its own. Still, I don’t know if I want to make it a good or a bad thing. I know that it’s unorthodox as hell, but I’m not really able to grasp the concept yet. It takes a lot to adjust to it, as the rest of the sound-scape is astonishing all-in-all. Nothing is missing and it’s varied as hell, not to mention how much of a joyous thing it is when it changes from progressive metal, to experimental and back to a post-metal thing. They do this very good.
Last song on this release is titled “1942” and features a chilling intro with a female vocalist amidst a dreamy landscape of both riffs and her voice alone. Which really is the death knell and end for this adventure. The casually strolling drums that change into a vehement black metal-thing in a stroke of a riff and the change of drums, is really fascinating. As it suddenly ventures into the more melodic sphere of metal, to just deal a blow of concussion on you while rapidly changing out fit once again. One thing that I haven’t mentioned is the sound-scapes quality, it absolutely rocks. You can hear everything clearly, even the baseline that has to suffer sometimes in other metal songs.
But here its a big part of the experience at hand and so is each instrument, because with each stroke, everything can change within a millisecond. They’re like a chameleon you’d actually be pleased to see and hear. Certainly one of the oddest releases this year, but a great influence on my mind which I’ll have to handle. I’ll never see metal the same way I saw it before, and I have listened to some crazy shit before. It’s good that they’ve got something unique going for them, because I hope this will not be the last we see and hear from them. A great record overall with loads of potential and if you’re into the more experimental stuff – then shoot, place your bid and take it all!
