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One-man black metal bands are really hit or miss for me. Generally
speaking, the one man in question is usually not a real master of
all instruments, so certain areas tend to be a bit lacking. More often
than not this area seems to be percussion, as the majority of single
member bands I’ve experienced utilize either poor sounding drum machines
or ok sounding drum machines that are programmed poorly. Ultimately,
these one-person affairs end up sounding like one-person affairs rather
that effectively capturing the sound and feel of an actual band. Mastermind
multi-instrumentalist Skamfer’s project Heresi, however, is a perfect
example of single-member black metal that doesn’t sound like some
ultra-artsy sound installation that wants to be on display the evil
Guggenheim.
On the new Heresi album “Psalm II – Infusco Ignis,” Skamfer remembers
the importance of the song, and of cohesion. The late Darkthrone influence
is evident here as songs blast along (with glorious LIVE drums!!!)
then break into thrashy, pounding grooves. These tracks rock in a
way most black metal simply does not or will not, and the result is
quite refreshing. This, to me at least, is hundreds of times more
listenable than many of Skamfer’s peers’ over driven, fuzzed out,
nails on a chalkboard static. Skamfer’s vocals are in a much lower
register than the majority of black metal vocalists, and the prevailing
tone of extreme anger on display is again a nice contrast to the overwhelming
sense of self-pity emanating from the bedrooms of so many who attempt
to be an entire black metal band themselves. The disc is short at
just under a half hour, and it really does leave you wanting more.
Now I know some reviewers who would cry about this, but I tend to
see it as a plus as it’s definitely a testament to the strength of
the material and its execution. Very well done, and with some cool
artwork by Wrest (Leviathan)
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