Despite its title and one-man origin, Despair (Ars Magna, 2007) isn’t depressive black metal. It’s actually rather kick-ass, due to a robust drum machine (either that, or someone used triggers something fierce). Lord Temptation’s (what a name!) drum programming is varied and surprisingly human-like, resulting in a dynamic listen.
Poison Which Flows in My VeinsDemise
Adding welcome heaviness, and leavening the requisite tremolo picking, are palm-muted riffs that suggest traditional metal. Discordant string rakes ripple between washes of jazzy chords. The mix is strong, putting the raspy vocals upfront but not annoyingly so. Keyboards bubble up tastefully in the background; the piano flourish in “Poison Which Flows in My Veins” recalls early Moby (!).
I wonder if Valhom plays live, as the lyrics are quite verbose. For example, “Nocturnal Reception” has six verses and two choruses, adding up to 36 lines to memorize! The lyrics aren’t particularly lyrical, but they deal with nature themes, which I’ll take over wrist-slitting any day. This may be Burzum on steroids, but it’s compact, consistent, and enjoyable.
Despair is available at Ars Magna and directly from Valhom. The label also currently offers it in an affordable package deal along with Chaos Moon, reviewed yesterday, and depressive BM act Trist.
on a black metal kick lately?
It’s a drum machine, I can tell because well… you know I can tell
Protip: cymbals is the first telling thing, second is not the uniformity of sound of the hits so much (that could be attributed to triggers) as the rhythmical rigidity of them.
As I was thinking that the first song is cool here come the Dimmu Borgir piano arpeggios and I go nnggggh. Still, this is someone’s cup of tea!
Yes, it’s getting to be that time of year. Autumnal, wintry…