In recent times, we have really seen a different boom of sorts that I've never been shy from acknowledging yet I always find myself fascinated by it: the sheer number of musicians out throughout the underground that manage to not just have a wide array of stylistic taste and talent, but the drive to constantly put out new material. We're more than familiar with the likes of the masterminds behind Vertebra Atlantis, Spectral Lore, or Revolting who all contain musicians who are in several other acts, but it's every now and then that we see another that certainly stands out. Known for his others in other names like Hermóðr, the one-man powerhouse of multiple aliases has been insanely productive in the depths of black metal. Whereas I would've expected to investigate a work from the aforementioned act sooner, it is with his depressive black metal act, Deadlife, whose latest EP I can't help but be enamored by.
Depressive black metal is a real tricky style. On one hand, it fits perfectly with many of the themes that can be found all throughout black metal many times over with those themes no less than monumental and full-on pillars of the genre. On the other hand, though, it is all too often littered by bands who lack the finesse, talent, and overall capacity to bring it to miserable life in such a way that really captures the ear. When I first stumbled upon "Unreachable", I knew nothing of Deadlife nor was I expecting much, yet it is in all three of these tracks that Deadlife makes a clear declaration of knowledge and expertise in this sound that many fail to ascertain after several years deep in the weighted darkness. Strewn with immense riffs, production that would be lacking in other styles but pitch perfect for this vein of black metal, atmosphere that really bogs down the spirit in the most effective form, and just enough splendor to keep you engaged throughout the dogmatic scouring of the soul, "Unreachable" puts on a performance that is just downright enrapturing to fall into. Where many would fall apart in their feeble attempts to bring any sort of misanthropy, soulful suffering, or any form of talent to the table, Deadlife makes it clear in every given moment that this is no such a performance. The sheer backlog of releases from Deadlife speaks for itself with the knowledge of the style more than prevalent no matter what direction you look throughout the whole of "Unreachable" as Deadlife has crafted something that is filled with nothing but the highest degree of sorrowful torment, yet much like the claws of woe we are all too familiar with, the EP is nothing one can easily rip oneself away from.
It is every so often that I'm presented with a work of depressive black metal that actually delivers on the potential of the sound with Deadlife's fifth creation in just this year showing us a level of tenacity and potency that we don't often witness. The sheer volume of Deadlife's work up to this point is nigh-on staggering to sift through, and I can't help but feel as though "Unreachable" is the perfect point to jump in at for such a dense catalog. Everything one could ask for out of this exceedingly dark and compelling style is on display for the whole of the EP with few able to stand in its way. Now, if you'll excuse me, I'm off to lose myself within the clearly unfathomable depths of Deadlife's misery.
LISTEN to "Unreachable" on Bandcamp here.
LIKE Deadlife on Facebook here.
No comments:
Post a Comment