integra

A Transparent Soul: Anomalie's Humanistic "Integra" EP

integra

While it is common for black metal artists to explore either the spiritual realm of occult-driven heresy or the nihilistic venue hosting the hand-to-hand combat of primal humanity, few bands find a happy medium in humanism. Embracing the significance of human relationships with emotions and environment through an equally moderate take on post-black metal, Austria’s Anomalie lives up to its name as one of these welcomed exceptions. Creating music prolifically since Between the Light graced the world of re-imagined black metal in 2014, one-man Marrok is keeping the momentum going with the release of his upcoming EP Integra. Ominous, yet smooth and contemplative, Integra is black metal that trades the cloak of darkness for a sense of transparency into the soul. Listen to an exclusive full stream of the EP below.

The low rumblings of “Rebirth” gradually lift the human figure depicted in Integra‘s artwork into the divinity of nature. Riding forth on its wings, we are taken into fast-but-steady meditations on grim riffs tidied up by ultra-clean production. Most distinctly, vocals tend to take on a third category when it comes to the clean/extreme dichotomy. It is a technique that was used more intermediately on last year’s full-length Visions, but the balance of vocal interjections, abrasive breaks, and lighter interludes continues to be perfected. Anomalie has already brought the newest edition of its signature style to life through a story of loosely-related visuals.

Not ones to lurk around in the shadows, Marrok provides a compelling video for “Temples,” which doesn’t leave any major religion unaddressed. Yet, there isn’t any disrespect for the sake of edginess. Rather, it takes the ritualistic elements of the religions with which many of us grew up and applies them to a heightened relationship with the Self. As we navigate our own life path, we come to build sacred homes around us that protect us from relative meaninglessness. It is no doubt exciting that Anomalie is sharing each stage of this process when it comes to building an identity as a black metal artist who takes approachable risks.

Integra drops November 9th on AOP. Follow Anomalie on Facebook.

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