Nemorous brings us a dark, brooding and deeply atmospheric album all the while being deeply affecting passionate and thrilling.
It’s earthy and raw yet timeless and subverts to the expectations we have of the black metal genre. What Remains When Hope Has Failed is an album that is hard to place, on the first listen you're sitting on the fence, anticipating a huge breakdown that never arrives but as the track unfolds, it slowly dawns on you that the album itself is what you're waiting for.
It toes the line between interesting and boring; the build is so gradual that before you can make that decision. Each track builds in texture and increases pace until partway through; you feel as though you’re standing under a tidal wave. We don’t ever get a neck breaking breakdown only a satisfying spiral of masterful composition. I'm using the word composition because this isn’t an album you can sing or move along in the car; it’s meant to have 100 percent of your attention.
Though there are only 6 tracks on the album, it’s substantial; most of the tracks are 8 minutes. Each track builds beautifully and suspenseful with creatively ambitious and light sounding riffs with the drums and vocals that bring the heavy black metal we’re used to.
Though there are only 6 tracks on the album, it’s substantial; most of the tracks are 8 minutes. Each track builds beautifully and suspenseful with creatively ambitious and light sounding riffs with the drums and vocals that bring the heavy black metal we’re used to.
What's interesting is that the vocals almost take a back seat, as strong, harsh and biting it is it’s not as pronounced as the instrumentals which when lined up together both contrast and elevate each other. The instruments, especially Quiescence, are knife-like and technically advanced. The riffs are hypnotic and immersive, which makes it hard to focus on anything else.
Overall, it’s well made and articulate. Every note and lyric has a purpose, and it works its way into your heart. I found that even as I write this, I'm liking the album more. I recommend that everyone should give it a listen even if it’s not your specific genre, and it may not make it onto your everyday rotation. I can almost guarantee you’ll have a good time listening. 8/10
Wildhunt - Aletheia (Jawbreaker Records) [Matt Bladen]
Austrian heavy metal act Wildhunt gallop back into view with their second album Aletheia, it's been ten years since their debut called Descending, and in that time they have changed most of their line up as only Wolfgang Elwitschger (vocals/guitar) returning from the debut.
He states his case for being the band leader with most of the writing credits too as the harder edged heavy metal gets delivered with plenty of power and pathos. Wildhunt take on influence from the thrashier side of heavy metal with influences from Heathen and King Diamond, instilling some progressive run times and theatrical delivery.
The band have matured here and embraced a path of darker, more emotional material that has a broader sound than on the debut. Reinvigorated and refocused, this Wildhunt continues with more aggression and authority than before. 7/10
Blood Vial - Beyond Recognition (Iron Fortress Records) [Matt Bladen]
Iron Fortress Records seem to be constantly highlighting what's grim and disgusting in the underground death metal scene. Baltimore's Blood Vial are the latest band to get their record unleashed by the label and as with many of the bands I've reviewed for Iron Fortress it's a short shock of pure brutality.
Gore drenched lyrics, brutal slam riffs, guttural vocals and never ending battery are what is expected and what is very gleefully delivered inviting the influential battery of Dying Fetus, Suffocation or even early Carcass when they were still goregrind.
If you want short blast of disgustingly br00tal metal then look no further than Beyond Recognition, however I'm not sure how well it would hold up as a full length. 6/10
Fuath - III (Northern Silence Productions) [Cherie Curtis]
Fuath III is brought to us by Andy Marshall. Hailing from Scotland with 4 lengthy tracks performed and written by himself which is no small feat and a remarkable accomplishment.
This album is dark and atmospheric with stunningly crisp instrumentals and highly contrasted with raw and gritty metal vocals which gives an overbearing sense of tension with a side order of eerie etherealness that makes this album as a whole is a beauty.
This album is primarily racing high pitched and racing and articulate guitar riffs which opens cold with each track they throw straight into the action. There is no real breakdown or chorus just a gradual progression, until partway through they slow down a light plucking of a gentle melody and synthesiser (Track 4 – The Sluagh) and half-time pulsing drums which get speedier until it builds back up to the full throttle black metal from the beginning.
Overall, it’s well made and articulate. Every note and lyric has a purpose, and it works its way into your heart. I found that even as I write this, I'm liking the album more. I recommend that everyone should give it a listen even if it’s not your specific genre, and it may not make it onto your everyday rotation. I can almost guarantee you’ll have a good time listening. 8/10
Wildhunt - Aletheia (Jawbreaker Records) [Matt Bladen]
Austrian heavy metal act Wildhunt gallop back into view with their second album Aletheia, it's been ten years since their debut called Descending, and in that time they have changed most of their line up as only Wolfgang Elwitschger (vocals/guitar) returning from the debut.
He states his case for being the band leader with most of the writing credits too as the harder edged heavy metal gets delivered with plenty of power and pathos. Wildhunt take on influence from the thrashier side of heavy metal with influences from Heathen and King Diamond, instilling some progressive run times and theatrical delivery.
The band have matured here and embraced a path of darker, more emotional material that has a broader sound than on the debut. Reinvigorated and refocused, this Wildhunt continues with more aggression and authority than before. 7/10
Blood Vial - Beyond Recognition (Iron Fortress Records) [Matt Bladen]
Iron Fortress Records seem to be constantly highlighting what's grim and disgusting in the underground death metal scene. Baltimore's Blood Vial are the latest band to get their record unleashed by the label and as with many of the bands I've reviewed for Iron Fortress it's a short shock of pure brutality.
Gore drenched lyrics, brutal slam riffs, guttural vocals and never ending battery are what is expected and what is very gleefully delivered inviting the influential battery of Dying Fetus, Suffocation or even early Carcass when they were still goregrind.
If you want short blast of disgustingly br00tal metal then look no further than Beyond Recognition, however I'm not sure how well it would hold up as a full length. 6/10
Fuath - III (Northern Silence Productions) [Cherie Curtis]
Fuath III is brought to us by Andy Marshall. Hailing from Scotland with 4 lengthy tracks performed and written by himself which is no small feat and a remarkable accomplishment.
This album is dark and atmospheric with stunningly crisp instrumentals and highly contrasted with raw and gritty metal vocals which gives an overbearing sense of tension with a side order of eerie etherealness that makes this album as a whole is a beauty.
This album is primarily racing high pitched and racing and articulate guitar riffs which opens cold with each track they throw straight into the action. There is no real breakdown or chorus just a gradual progression, until partway through they slow down a light plucking of a gentle melody and synthesiser (Track 4 – The Sluagh) and half-time pulsing drums which get speedier until it builds back up to the full throttle black metal from the beginning.
Each track really is a rollercoaster – up, down and back up again. The vocals allow for the instrumentals to take centre stage and only serves to elevate key points within a track. It's hard to understand what’s being said on the first listen but the emotion rings clear, it’s sharp and angry with lots of genre typical reverb.
Overall, this is a good one though it runs a little long for me and it’s not something I would have on my daily rotation. It’s well mixed and produced and paints a clear picture of ferocious descent into the fiery pits of hell with a composition that’s a never-ending spiral and an all-consuming yet glorious sense of cold hard dread. 6/10
Overall, this is a good one though it runs a little long for me and it’s not something I would have on my daily rotation. It’s well mixed and produced and paints a clear picture of ferocious descent into the fiery pits of hell with a composition that’s a never-ending spiral and an all-consuming yet glorious sense of cold hard dread. 6/10
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