. . .
Production matters. It is part of what the listener hears, aside from music, and can make or break a record. In the case of Nightbringer’s Apocalypse Sun (The AJNA Offensive/Avantgarde, 2010), it doesn’t break the record, though it colors it to the point of distraction.
Apocalypse Sun sounds expensive: clean and compressed, with much separation between instruments. For mainstream metal, the sound would be appropriate, but for underground black metal, it is problematic. The incessant kick drums suggest a sewing machine, and the relentless tremolo picking is too clearly defined. The result is tense and neurotic, like the spotless home of an OCD sufferer. If this record were a painting, it would be a pointillist one, except that the points rarely coalesce into unities.
Yet the production works on a certain level, that of laying bare the music. Every pick stroke is audible and perfect. Mighty technical chops are evident. I don’t know if Nightbringer still compose music on piano, then transcribe it for guitar, as they did several years ago, but I wouldn’t be surprised if that were still true. The tonalities are dissonant, full of criss-crossing lines. Sometimes they reach regal climaxes, for which the clear production is apt. In relentlessness and harmonic sophistication, Nightbringer recall Krallice.
Unlike Krallice, however, they are Black Metal in capital letters. Apocalypse Sun is orthodox black metal; as such, it worships Satan through a dense forest of what seems to be Kabbalah-derived terminology. (Averse Sefira come to mind.) The esoteric subject matter demands a more shrouded musical presentation. Thankfully, that presentation already exists: Nightbringer’s previous record, Death and the Black Work
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Amazon (MP3)
Amazon (CD)
The End (CD)
Avantgarde (CD)
The AJNA Offensive (CD)
Well, that’s a downer. I’ve heard from other sources that this record is a bit of a let down, so I was hoping for a better review from you. I find my production tastes closely mirrors yours so I’m a little less than inclined to run out and get this.
I’m glad to hear some of your comments on Death and the Black Work because it is one of my favorite black metal albums. It’s difficult to put a finger on why that record is so weird and compelling, but I think the term ’shrouded musical presentation’ is rather apt. I always thought I’d never hear a record as unique and compelling as DATBW, and it looks like I was right. I think I’ll go spin it again.
I have to agree on this one. The album is fucking brilliant, yet the production simply strips away much of the potential spirit. The drums are the biggest issue I would say. Far too loud and synthetic. The album is still worth investing in regardless I would say, and it grows the more you listen to it, but one can not help to feel that it fell short simply due to a production that sterilizes the entire work. If you scan through some of the recent interviews the band admits this fatal flaw themselves. Hopefully lessons have been learned as this band is truly incredible and has more potential then most these days.
I’m not familiar with this band or their music, but the album cover is stellar. It reminds me a little of the artwork for the book Shadow & Claw, by Gene Wolfe. Its an omnibus of the first two novels in The Book of the New Sun series, which is probably one of the best examples of “literary” science fiction, and a favorite of mine. Anyway, I’ll take that as a fortuitous sign and check these guys out.
The cover is absolutely great, yes.
I still haven’t gotten around to checking this out, but from what I’m reading here I might just continue to leave it on the back burner. Death and the Black Work is a difficult album to top though, so I’m not surprised that this one isn’t living up to expectations.
it’s a good record, and while the critique may be legitimate i wouldn’t let it stop anyone from checking out the album. not every band can have PERFECT production to suit their needs every time. how many perfectly produced records do you own? how many imperfectly produced records do you love?
for me, Machine Head “burn my eyes” and Watain “sworn to the dark” are two perfectly recorded metal records. and Coldplay “parachutes” is a perfect rock record.
They’ve just been added to the 2011 Maryland Deathfest line-up:
http://www.marylanddeathfest.com/news.html
Holy shit, MDF 2011 lineup is already starting up! Cretin, Cripple Bastards, Nightbringer, WORMED, Repugnant…wow! Impaled Nazarene???
Thanks for the notice, TheWolf.
I heard they are killer live. I might have to plan a trip.
I just found this record on Amie Street. It looks like Ajna Offensive is experimenting with downloads. They’ve also got Teitanblood, which is superb death metal. Check it out!
Thanks, Miskatonic for the notice!
Right now the Nightbringer record is at $3, and the Teitanblood one is at $2.42:
http://amiestreet.com/label/ajna-offensive/