This may only last 25 minutes but having heard this Lithuanian band’s two previous, I had no doubt that this would be another journey of post metal intensity with many variations to keep us honest.
Negation, lethargy, epiphany, alienation: I’m not just throwing these words in randomly, but these are the track titles of “Mend”. “Clung to preposterous ideas, malevolent negation of everything”, are the opening lyrics. Before that on “Negation I”, we are swept instrumentally and atmospherically across a devastating wasteland. Violent and distorted chords explode mechanically onto the scene. Throaty vocals impose themselves now on the intensifying harshness. Dark, deep and nasty it is, but there is flow and even melody as we are led through this torrid scene. The clouds thicken. “Lethargy” is wall of echoing darkness and malevolence. Black metal melody and technicality fight against the blanket of extreme noise. A withering riff runs through “Epiphany”. This reminds me of Khold and those newer black metal bands. New however does not mean clean. In fact it’s downright dirty and acrid in its output. But it’s also moody and so draws us in more. There’s a bit of Disbelief about the riffage. “Alienation” gets straight into it, building up an epic atmosphere. As usual, it starts from a deep place. Reaching the conclusion that we might all be alone in this “soulless parade”, the negative thoughts are belied by the sheer power and black majesty of the musicianship, which transcends the message.
“Mend” is a powerful representation from this black metal band, whose music has depth and finery in its extreme depiction of the nihilistic side of humankind.
(8.5/10 Andrew Doherty)
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