Heavy metal could easily be argued the broadest and most varied of all the metal sub-genres. Nobody would put an equal sign between Twisted Sister and Mercyful Fate, but it would take some intellectual acrobatics to argue these two don’t represent the same genre. Heavy metal stands for the vivid melodies of Iron Maiden, for the whiskey-poisoned voice of Lemmy and for the unstoppable energy of Judas Priest. It stands for the satanic blasphemies of Venom, poser facade of Manowar and
outrageous spectacles of W.A.S.P.. It’s expansive, powerful and with a vector clearly pointing outwards, towards the audience.
But what would happen if you’d turn this vector around? Make it point inwards. Suck the energy out of the world, seize all the light and capture every nearby passing particle. Well, you’d obviously turn into a black hole. What they really are nobody knows, but there are some theories. One says that every of these singularities spawns a new world and is a big bang for another reality, a new beginning.
And this album is exactly it. A
supermassive heavy metal black hole. Dark, ominous, unpredictable and explosive. Once you get near, you’ve been sucked in and transported to another sonic universe. A parallel one, where Danzig is still a star and In Solitude never split up. Cosmos of occult, magic, sex and gloom. The less explored, tenebrous side of heavy metal.
This album is a pure labour of love. Every aspect has been crafted with passion. Cover art sets the sullen mood. Short, ambiguous intro throws you straight into action. Full-bodied, rounded sound perfectly underlines the dark atmosphere. Producer Matt Bayles worked with Mastodon and Isis, so high quality was to be expected. Compositions are cohesive and consistent. Music doesn’t meander, it’s clearly focused from kick-off till the finishing blow.
And a deadly blow that is. Title track closes the album without leaving any doubt about album’s origins. It’s been born from the darkness, that can only be seen once you turn the vector around towards the polluted temple of your heart.
