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After a spoken word lament of the death of nobility, Loss (Bindrune, 2009) proposes, “Each of us must face the question, are we man or are we beast?” Wodensthrone suggest that our humanity comes from a religion rooted in memory. Humanity is a fossilized drawing on a cave wall, the knowledge that our ancestors are buried beneath our feet, and the roots that give us history. To disrupt these things is to harm ourselves. Animals only live in the moment; humans know time.
I'd be more puzzled why Wodensthrone are rushing to explain everything but I guess "NS until proven otherwise" is the standard in most black metal circles and that's kinda stupid. Still, does their good name matter so much to them that listeners shouldn't be left to think for themselves about the difference between ancient pride and bigotry? They're playing extreme metal anyway, they're not in parliament.
I've been enjoying this record since getting it a few months back. One of the years best for sure. So damn good…
And order it from the label. They seem like nice guys and shipping my pre-order so quick.
Helm, should bands be considered outside of the social and political context in which they're writing/playing? I'm not convinced by the statement on their website, especially in light of the excerpted lyrics in this review. If they're all about "ancient pride" or whatever hogwash, fine, but when they bring Islam into it, it brings to mind the discourse espoused by the actually-fascist BNP who are making inroads into mainstream British politics right now at the European Parliament and council levels who do very much talk about the decline of "the indigenous British majority" and how a lot of this is due to immigration–with special rancor reserved for Muslim immigrants. And sure, it's more likely that Wodensthrone are more into ultra-conservative black metal aesthetics than they are into politics, but I don't think that it's especially wrong–especially in a metal scene with a strong left-wing roots as Britain's–that there are such strong objections to them.
That said, I think that the posted audio clips are great and I'll probably buy this.
A fantastic album! Bindrune just added this to their catalog of albums available on a donation basis. If you want to download while supporting the artist, go through the label's website and get it legally instead of using a torrent.
http://www.bindrunerecordings.com
Graeme, I don't think of art in political or social terms primarily, even when the art wants to promote some such agenda fervently, because when I peruse art I am not looking for answers, or even something to agree with. If the art excites me on some level, it's also worthwhile on some level, even if it's made by certified idiots. Art can give rise to great beauty even if made by what seem like very disagreeable men. A moral or political examination of value systems is not outside the scope of art of course and if a piece of it can incite that, that's also a worthy thing. But if we're just looking for reasons to not experience some piece of art, they are plentiful in most cases without racialism having to be called into the arena.
Art-making is about risk-taking and most results should not be held to the ideological scrutiny we level against political activism, precisely because they are not actions. They are existential outings that are necessary for sanity and for there to be a prayer for a better life. If someone is writing songs about how he wants to kill everyone, if that makes them better, then good on them, I won't consider that the same as a declaration for mass murder. If their kill everyone songs emotionally affect me, then should I pretend they didn't?
My main problem with most NS bands I've heard is not that they are NS, it's that they're not engaging me on any level with their music, aesthetics and message. It most often sounds like a cheap shock-rock thing, with the music being an afterthought to the 'cool' Vaffen SS cover they found and their logo on top. If and where it doesn't, I don't have any problem with it. Even if I buy and pay and support a racist artist whom could put that money to EVIL USE, my patronage doesn't equal my vote for him, it equals a thanks for having made art that affected me.
this is much improved over the other wodensthrone material i've heard. the donation purchase angle is great. 320 download is very nice. most labels do 192.
I am in Wodensthrone and the resurgent reactionary politics some of you have ascribed to Britain has nothing at all to do with the music of lyrical concepts on Loss. Go and read the in depth interviews we have conducted that deal with this stupid matter once and for all.
But if any of you out there choose not to listen to music because you disagree with the belief systems of its creators, you're welcome to your ignorance.
Wodensthrone are re-framing the old lore of Albion because it is a noble and worthy pursuit that will define who we are today and from what height we have fallen as a species.
I highly recommend these great interviews. Thanks for sharing them, Anthony. I wish that people asked the band more about their actual music, though.
This is a tremendous album, how can any of you twats call it racist? Fuck you.