
Even if this was done purposefully, to achieve a somewhat lo-fi production signature sound, to imitate the influent and recognizable 90’s Norwegian school, the artist does not succeed in producing the desired effect (assuming that this is what the creative forces involved in this work were trying to obtain). In the end, what transpires is a precarious production, upon which the vocals seems to be only background growls, that almost fades away in several passages. Despite the fact that the guitar lines displayed are moderately reasonable, they are exceedingly rapid all the time, so the sound inevitably becomes too homogeneous. In the end, it’s almost impossible to distinct one track from another.
Unfortunately, Strigae has bought the ordinary urban legend that dictates that, in order for someone to create a good black metal record, astoundingly rapid guitar lines and low-fi production assistance is all that a musician needs. Although there is genuine talent here, and definitely, a decent degree of creative abilities, they are not well-developed on I:Collision. On the contrary – the album is very monotonous, obsolete and predictable. Definitely, the final result can only be defined as precarious and generic, and will hardly attract the attention of the black metal community.
I emphasize that the musician – or musicians – involved in this project have a recognizable degree of veracious talent. They just have to regulate and adjust better their production techniques and devices, and explore more authorial, creative and audacious patterns of artistry. I, somehow, expect a more decent and inventive work from Strigae, in the future.
Wagner