Although around since 2013 with a couple of demos and a split to their name this is the debut album from Polish duo Misanthur. Helmed by Hellscythe and Draugr they must be doing something right to end up releasing it on Season Of Mist especially as if what is stated on Metal Archives is correct and the pair have no ties to any other bands. It’s probably something to do with the times we live in as far as subject matter is concerned that we find ourselves wallowing in themes of ‘personal degradation’ and looking into the ‘deepest corners of consciousness’ here. Naturally that does not make this the cheerfullest of listens over an album that is just shy of an hour in length.
As we ‘Enter The Void’ with strong bass lines and weeping guitars one has to try and place this stylistically. Dark metal is a good description as Hellscythe’s clean dour vocals texture the musical plod which has an air of doom and gothic richness about it. Upping the ante things expand, roars are unleashed and darkness is embraced. A jazzy drop brings introspection and contemplation to the table and it’s evident that stylistically this is going to be a shapeshifting experience as blast-beats hone in and blackened snarls bring some savagery. That’s quite a lot to take in and this is only the first number even if it does spill over into the next short instrumental ‘Dense Mental Trace.’ Turmoil, misanthropy and sharp vocal fangs bite hard as we plough into ‘On the Heights of Despair.’ The adrenaline boost welcome for a while before a poetic caress flirts with it all. It’s a little disjointed for me and I’m not really sure everything comfortably sits together. This is especially true as the next number ‘Essence’ takes a slowdive and curves into shoegaze territories and sets about entrancing the listener for a period courtesy of guest Agnieszka Leciak whose lilting harmony takes things into a bit of a Portishead direction.
From earlier black metal the duo go for restraint and contextualise things on the ‘post’ side of the genre a bit much on songs such as ‘Black Clouds & No Silver Linings’ matching its descriptive title with more of a sense of melody rather than violence any by now I’m a little confused at just what this wants to be. It’s like a diva a bit insisting on loads of costume changes throughout a performance but perhaps it’s partly my fault and I should be more prepared to simply go with the flow. Unfortunately, I feel the length of the tracks, the album as a whole and the subject matter are wearing me down. What next, some pompous keyboard work, vocal screeches and a move into atmospheric black metal via an entrancing synthesizer melody. The songs work well in their own right but it’s a bit like a jigsaw puzzle trying to force the pieces together where they don’t quite fit. After attempting to take time and engage with this by the time we arrive at conclusion ‘Crush the Stone with the Sea’ that’s exactly how I feel and have to admit defeat. Others will no doubt find suitable shelter with Misanthur but I’m sadly left feeling cast adrift.
(6/10 Pete Woods)
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