Spotting the line between atmospheric black metal and early-1990s shoe gaze is sometimes not an easy thing to do. Take Atrum Tempestas, for example, which comprises all the vital ingredients of both: taking the steady, depressive rhythms of the floppy haired brigade and combining them with the adventurousness and intensity of black metal. Yes, it’s atmospheric black metal first and foremost, but it starts out by taking such an unhurried approach that, like a lot of this type of music, it’s a while before we see the plan at all. Personally, I’m a big fan of all this. When it works, the laid back melancholy combined with seething-under-the-surface, dark emotions is always fascinating. An allegory for the dispassionate whims of nature or else the utter futility of the human condition, maybe. But whatever it is, it’s a great formula and with some skill can work amazingly well despite being a busy genre. But when you have these steady build-ups you have to leave a bit of bait for the listener, especially when, like this album, which is only just over 30 minutes, you have limited time at your disposal.
I suppose I’m saying Néant takes a while to get going. That’s not to say this isn’t perfectly well executed from the outset, just that you might feel yourself urging them to hurry along a bit so you can find out what’s really at the heart of all this. As well as being fond of quoting Nietzsche and some bleak views on the state of humanity, there is an evolving purpose to Atrum Tempestas’ music. The journey begins along some familiar territory before it twists and turns down less well worn and more unpredictable paths. This could easily have been one long track rather than three, drifting from horizonless plains, gentle vistas and then into more claustrophobic, intensity. Creatively, Néant only really breaks into a sweat during the third track which begins to shake off the relative torpor of the previous two tracks. And, while I always hate to comment on the length of an album, it does feel a little like these guys were only just getting started when things draw to a close. In fact, the final 11 minute track is broken up into two or three parts that begin to show what Atrum Tempestas could offer with twice the room.
This is a nice release and I like the whole thrust of where these guys are going. The sign posts are all here but I’m not quite sure, for whatever reason, they’ve quite arrived with Néant. The outro voice clip after the final exhilarating track tells us in a voice clocked with portentousness and finality: ‘The boat can leave now; tell the crew’. The line left me wishing there was another 30 minutes to find out what happened next. Of course, I know that’s not the point, but it promised even darker waters ahead. But alas, it was all over and all too soon. Definitely one to check out for pagan/nature/ambient obsessed atmospheric black metal aficionados and, for all the rest of you, one to watch.
(7.5/10 Reverend Darkstanley)
Leave a Reply