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Post-black metal seems to be an upcoming genre, gaining popularity among the original black metal fans and other extreme music loves alike. Still firmly rooted in the evil Scandinavian style, several bands are taking on an exprimental approach, which somehow results in something that is more evil, bleak and fatalistic as traditional black metal.
Take this Au-Dessus debut for example. This Lithuanian band incorporates influences from shoegaze and drone doom into the distinct sound of the genre, making it sound like something between Emperor, Nortt and Jesu, which is pretty intense and maybe a bit similar to what Altar Of Plagues and Landlôs do. They succeed in creating an intense, trance-like state.
There are five tracks on this album, the first one not even being an intro. Instead, they immediately treat us to blastbeasts and heavy riffs, enforced by a dark mantra and shrieking vocals. This is a short, but intense warning of what 's about to follow. A warning the unexpecting or unexperienced listener definitely needs.
The other four tracks are pieces of organised chaos, both atmospheric and brutal at the same time. There's not very much vocals on the album but when they are, they sound as evil and wicked as they should be, mixing in perfectly with the music. In 'III', and especially in the bass guitar, there also seem to be some punk influences present.
Slow, haunting passages seemlessly alternate with brutal, hyperspeed assaults. The overall atmosphere is cold and desolate, as if the album was recorded in an ancient cottage in an extensive snowy forest in Norway. So all the elements for a great post-black metal album are present, making this one quite outstanding. This is one extreme piece of music, not to be taken lightly...
Serge
Take this Au-Dessus debut for example. This Lithuanian band incorporates influences from shoegaze and drone doom into the distinct sound of the genre, making it sound like something between Emperor, Nortt and Jesu, which is pretty intense and maybe a bit similar to what Altar Of Plagues and Landlôs do. They succeed in creating an intense, trance-like state.
There are five tracks on this album, the first one not even being an intro. Instead, they immediately treat us to blastbeasts and heavy riffs, enforced by a dark mantra and shrieking vocals. This is a short, but intense warning of what 's about to follow. A warning the unexpecting or unexperienced listener definitely needs.
The other four tracks are pieces of organised chaos, both atmospheric and brutal at the same time. There's not very much vocals on the album but when they are, they sound as evil and wicked as they should be, mixing in perfectly with the music. In 'III', and especially in the bass guitar, there also seem to be some punk influences present.
Slow, haunting passages seemlessly alternate with brutal, hyperspeed assaults. The overall atmosphere is cold and desolate, as if the album was recorded in an ancient cottage in an extensive snowy forest in Norway. So all the elements for a great post-black metal album are present, making this one quite outstanding. This is one extreme piece of music, not to be taken lightly...
Serge