My last encounter with Aosoth was their uncompromising debut LP released about 4 or 5 years ago. Though it was a competent, snarling slice of black metal I still recall coming away slightly underwhelmed – perhaps more to do with the involvement of Antaeus vocalist MkM and how it lacked the frenetic chaos of that band than anything else – but Aosoth’s debut presented more in the way of promise than actual realisation.
‘IV – Arrow in Heart’ makes it abundantly clear that the Frenchmen have honed their art considerably in the last half-decade or so. I’ve more or less missed out on the developments between this latest record and the debut but even I can tell this is a honing of sound that has taken time and consideration to evolve. The savagery is still in place but it is welded to longer, more thought-through and atmospheric songs. They’ve been working at this and it appears to have paid off in spades.
I think it’s fair to say that Aosoth are still firmly ploughing a quasi-orthodox furrow which – in this current underground climate of atavistic ultra-regression – makes them distinctly ‘off trend, however for me it works massively to the band’s benefit. The key is here is how the band balance the various elements of their sound – discordance and technicality weighs up against doomy simplicity and straightahead driving pummelling, weaved into a coherent whole by a dark, organic, downtuned atmosphere that permeates the whole record.
With only five lengthy ‘proper’ tracks, it’s a lean and focussed listen boasting moments of real inspiration. The lurching, 13/4 blast section that ends ‘Temples of Knowledge’ is reminiscent of (the ubiquitous) Deathspell Omega at their most furious for example, yet this is immediately followed by the spacious opening of ‘Under the Nails and Fingertips’, contrasting the preceding savagery with controlled, epic power. Two shorter atmospheric pieces break up the maelstrom somewhat before the crushing finale of ‘Ritual Marks of Penitence’.
Mainman and sole musician BST is without a doubt a talented musician and inspired songwriter – busy as he is with a number of other projects, he has found the time here to not only craft twisted yet infectious anthems of discordant blasphemy but to execute these compositions with real flair. MkM meanwhile projects his vocals with an almost larynx-disfiguring level of venom, adopting myriad voices across the record’s duration that is perfectly in keeping with the churning attack beneath them.
This is a focussed, intelligently-conceived and well-executed example of violently atmospheric black metal and represents a real step-up for this outfit. I think it’s safe to say that they have now firmly stepped out of the shadow of Antaeus and ‘Arrow in Heart’ comes highly recommended.
(8.5/10 Frank Allain)
Leave a Reply