Review Summary: Simple Black Metal Romanticism!
Chances are you have not heard of the black metal project, Black mutiny. Before, I begin this review I will do my best to acquaint you with this very unique yet common situation of people behind this project. Black Mutiny is a raw second wave black metal band from all places, Baltimore, Maryland. Coming from this dark and ruinous city, this black metal project has made sense of the problems faced in urban culture, and it turns out darker than many traditional nordic bands of the genre could ever achieve.
As was said in the opening paragraph, Black Mutiny is a 2nd wave worship band, meaning their blend of music reminisces back to the chaotic and somewhat drole times of Mayhem, Burzum, and Darkthrone. Although, this is the case for the music their twist on it is very unique, often lending a very romantic feel to the music. The music is very mournful and haunting with it's cascadian tremolo picked guitars. While many black metal bands have focused on these dense guitar harmonies by means to create the grand and cold atmosphere of the season of winter, the guitars present here really take you through time and within the production if you listen close you will hear unannounced harmonies, hidden in the depths of the songs. While the guitars are played so eloquently, the vocals are reminiscent of people such as David Gold (Woods of Ypres) and Tom Waits, but in a black metal sense. Supranatural the vocalist is so clear with the lyrics and message he wants to bring but their is such a wistful and mournful aspect to it too. You could often find his voice not quite, not exactly matching to the rest of the instruments, ignoring what your ears lead you to believe will come. Instead his vocal lines are distressed, delayed, and very distressed as could be seen in the lyrics. Although, this works perfectly with the screams, it is more problematic with the clean vocals, as evident in the track "Lament of the Phoenix of Grief" where Supranatural is not only low in the mix but also is left somewhat off key. This really disappointed me, as cleans in this type of music often function as an epic haven that drives forward to the song. This piece started off so jarringly with harmonies that are not that common in the genre, but eventually fell off track and lost a lot of momentum not only for the song but for a bit of the album. Luckily, on the next track "Everhaus" the band were able to get back on track with very mournful and apathetic (in a good way) riffs and vocals. This brings up a very interesting point about this album. The riffs are very repetitive, but not to an extent where they are monotonous, but to a point where the message becomes clearer and Supranatural's voice becomes more and more concerned and in agony. This is his connection to David Gold. He is just so eloquent and articulate with his lines, but in a very failing and disheartening sense, taking the listener with him in the highs and lows of the album. Next up is the instrumental track titled "Black Plateau". This starts off with a riff very reminiscent of the metallica ballads or even of german black metal group Heretoir, of which this album brought me back to several times. Although, this has a great sorrowful opening, the track goes into these power chords that bring up a nice intended and ambiguous melody but fails to hold on it's own. Although, this track was my least favorite on the record it did serve it's function and purpose on the record; to change things up. Without it, the album may have been more monotonous, and this time I mean in a bad way. After this are the three closing tracks, which really sum up the album's haunting vibe, with the very disturbing "Scarlet letter with Shades of Black and Blue", to the heart wrenching melancholic closer of "Grief".
All in all, this was one of the best if not the best black metal albums of the year. It created a very interesting and unique touch to second wave black metal, with it's very doomy existential musical and lyrical themes, to the very mournful and broken vocals. I hope to see more of this band in the future, as they are off to a grand start with this doomy debut.This album has an arcane flow. Turn off your lights, put on your headphones, display the lyrics, and enhance yourself with this magnificent release!
