The experienced black metal band behind this 20 minute EP are from USA with, as the name suggests, a Finnish influence. Apparently in their early days raw atmospheric aggression was the basis of their sound, but judging by “Traversing the Frozen North” and the title track, which open the album, doomy repressed and depressed outpourings of blackness are more their thing. Above all it’s cold, bleak and lacking in any sort of empathy. “Virgin Essence” is more fast-paced in the way that traditional black is, but it’s hardly frantic. In fact it’s a nice rhythm with a curious and menacing symphonic underscore so it’s not music you’d appreciate for the bleakness but walk away from in indifference. For me, “Virgin Essence” had a bit of Old Man’s Child about it. The nastiness then steps up with the swirling “Immaculate Deconception”. Mid-stream we’re taken out of the trance but the track rises again epically and malevolently. A careful rhythm backs up the triggering drums and growls. It stops. This four minute track starts its third movement, ending with another burst of flying black metal sparks. Finally there’s “Comte-Sponville”, a lively little three minute acoustic piece. It’s nothing like the rest but it made think of woods and forests and nature. Maybe it’s the Finnish connection. Either way, it’s a nice track.
There’s not much to go on here but there’s plenty of coldness and deviation from some tired old formula to say that this makes a great taster for what Nihilistinen Barbaarisuus could be capable of achieving. It’s not greatly coherent but it’s interesting and something I enjoyed listening to.
(7.5/10 Andrew Doherty)
Leave a Reply