Black Hole Generator - Black Karma
Black Hole Generator is a two-man band from Bergen, Norway, consisting of Bjørnar Nilsen and Dreggen, whose collective resumes include Grimfist, Aeternus, Deathcon, and Vulture Industries. Black Karma (on Ars Magna) is the band’s debut EP, with five tracks of menacing industrial black metal.
Of course, the first reference point for this kind of stuff is Anaal Nathrakh. But while there is some resemblance with the programmed drums and apocalyptic vibe, BHG is slightly more atmospheric and less about bludgeoning. To be sure, there are tons of blastbeats, and the vocals range from scathing shrieks down to lower, almost grand singing. But the EP has little production touches throughout, like piano notes here and there and even some cello, that place the blasting in sharp relief.
The riffs here absolutely rule. The first time I heard “The Age of Anxiety,” I practically broke my neck headbanging to the riff at :38. It’s kind of like Ministry on black metal steroids. The production is more hi-fi than the usual black metal murk, but it’s perfect for the material, retaining bite in the guitars, while leaving space for the drums to have impact.
Black Hole Generator – The Age of Anxiety
This is one of the most well-developed debuts I’ve heard in a while. While brief, the EP reflects a singular vision, down to the sharp artwork and the vivid lyrics (“Scarlet skies open wide / Rain! / Cleansing pain wash flesh from bone / Cold dark matter shed no tears”). Evidently a full-length is on the way, so be a cool kid and get on this before everyone else does. To pick this up, email Ars Magna.
