Black metal is not exactly renowned for taking a humanist approach, indeed its cold harsh nature is much more aligned to the misanthropic and destruction of the human race. Of course there are exceptions and here we have a very timely one. Greek multi-instrumentalist Ayloss is a well-known fixture of bands such as Auriferous Flame and Mystras and with Spectral Lore he has built up a fascinating body of work. ‘11 Days’ is classed as an EP and is a precursor to next double album ‘IV’ scheduled for later in the year. It’s still an incredibly weighty tome though with the 4 tracks spanning a 44-minute running time. It’s the subject matter that raises eyebrows here as the album is dedicated to the plight of refugees fleeing their homeland for safer shores and often as we have sadly seen, constantly in the news of late, dying on their perilous journey. Those that do make it to relative safety are treated with the utmost contempt by the leaders of the countries they land in and herded like animals into camps and threatened with deportation. People are speaking out about the inhumanity of it all and in England this weekend as I write this, you cannot have failed to hear the ructions directed at Gary Lineker who has been accused of breaking impartiality rules dictated by the BBC. It’s a subject many feel strongly about and unfortunately not all on the side of compassion.
Greece has an approach of repression and persecution of anyone assisting those trying to land on its shores and also is subject to one of the most hazardous routes. We are informed that ‘The principal aim of this release is to protest against these policies and ask for open borders and free movement for all people in need.” Proceeds will be donated to agencies offering direct aid and rescue services. Obviously the very nature of the music means that it will only reach a very limited audience but there is no denying the conviction and sincerity of the artists involved.
Ayloss is joined by various vocalists and musicians providing electronics and field recordings here making this a sprawling odyssey composed of two massive tracks of seething and at times utterly chaotic black metal, interspersed by two calmer ambient numbers. These include members of the Yovel collective and VOAK, we are told. You really can feel the “cycles of day and night, storm and calm” within the music’s inner narrative. First blackened part ‘Moloch’ is full of arduous peril, turmoil, chaos & panic as a flimsy vessel is relentlessly battered by the horrific elements. You can engage with this grim plight every step of the way. The flipside is illustrated by ‘Fortitude Sunset’ a dreamy ambient exercise that drifts along like the subject matter very much cast adrift with an uncertain future. The sound of the sea is replicated via field recordings but atmosphere is far from jolly and the direness of the situation, hunger, thirst, illness, heatstroke all comes across in this Tangerine Dream-like soundscape. There’s no gap between tracks and the sudden plunge into 14-minute ‘Adro Onzi’ is akin to suddenly being thrown overboard into the inhospitable ocean. It seethes and throws the listener all over the place, showing absolutely no mercy. Looking up the title I see it aptly means ‘Bad God’ in the lands of Democratic Republic of the Congo, Sudan & Uganda where many of the refugees are fleeing from. Death abounds and it is a harrowing track and a half. Vocals here are varied with sections of scabrous snarls and wailing croons. All that’s missing is being able to read them, something that will no doubt be addressed when this gets a physical release later in the year via I, Voidhanger.
It’s left to the ‘Ocean Of The Divine, the shadowy world between the living and the dead via last throbbing piece of ambience ‘Tremor/Kalunga Line.’ It should no doubt leave you in a ponderous and absorbing thought process of what you have just heard and the all-important message behind this release. Hopefully after reading this you will feel compelled to experience it yourself.
(8/10 Pete Woods)
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