For the layman, Liturgy have been around since 2009, having released four previous albums of their own brand of “transcendental black metal”. Critique of the band varies from “aggressive and radical” (Pitchfork) to “chin-stroking dilettantes” (The Guardian).
The press release accompanying their fifth album talks of “formal structures” and “evocative arrangements”, however there is very little in the way of a coherent framework to “93696”. Rather, the album veers from one idea to the next, indicative of a stream of consciousness rather than structured songwriting, with no motifs or hooks to gel things together.
There are brief, genuinely uplifting moments of lucidity such as the middle of “Djennaration”, where layers of guitars, vocals and electronica briefly combine into a single emotional crescendo. This unfortunately devolves back into a series of crash endings (sorry, “burst beats”) that litter the entire album.
The first two minutes of “Haelegen II” provide another rare moment of lucidity with its doomy riff, before the track disappears into another universe, occasionally returning for a glance at another take on said riff. “Before I Knew The Truth” represents Liturgy at their most focussed, with layers of urgent tremolo-picked melodies commanding attention and evoking a sense of anticipation.
“Ananon” also provides a brief vessel of clarity that reaches a tremendous crescendo, and special mention goes to “Red Crown II” for seemingly finding use for those recorder lessons we all had at primary school back in the day. I was unable to get my head around the 15-minute title track, jumping as it did from one esoterically rage-fuelled idea to another.
“Angel Of Individuation” also stands out for me. It is one of a handful of (primarily) orchestral pieces on the album, and stands alone as a singular reflective and considered composition on “93696”.
Beyond contention is the fact that Liturgy certainly remain one of the last remaining true originals in extreme music. Whether their brand of unstructured “everything including the kitchen sink” sonic musings are worthy of critical acclaim is in the ear of the beholder. Though they dabble in the wide range of progressive waters inhabited by Enslaved, Cynic, Svalbard and Zeal & Ardor, to my ears, Liturgy sadly do so with none of the respective grace, coherence, venom or soul of said entities.
(6/10 Doogz)
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