I never knew a black metal band could be so honest or stir up emotions in me other than anger. Oskoreien is not like other black metal bands. Oskoreien is a being of beauty and grace.
I know this sounds cliché, but when the guitars play those high notes, they sound like angels. They're tuned so perfectly and create an amazing and mystifying atmosphere. Most black metal is cold and misanthropic, but the tone of Oskoreien's guitars is warm and life-affirming. Though Oskoreien is a one-man band, the drums are naturally performed and exhibits powerful blast beats and fills. They remind me of Panopticon in a way. As with the guitars, the croaks have a rather warm distortion to them. Instead of saying “Get out” like most black metal bands, they say “Come to me”. He even performs clean chants on the songs “Entropic Collapse” and “Transcendence”.
The band throws us a curve ball in the form of “River of Eternity”. It's an entirely acoustic piece set to the sound of falling rain. It sends the message to black metal bands that they shouldn't focus solely on destruction. For every thing that is destroyed, something is created. One cannot have destruction without creation. The bands throws us one more curve ball in the form of “Ashen Remains”. It's a piano piece set to the sound of a ticking clock, a brilliant closer. If you ask me, black metal bands need to take more risks like this. Don't be afraid that everyone will hate it. Express your true self. Don't let anyone tell you otherwise.
This was one of the best albums of 2011. I never created a “best of 2011” list, but if I did, this album would be near the top. I do hope Oskoreien releases more stuff in the future. You can get this album and other sweet merch at their official bandcamp page.
0 comments:
Post a Comment