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12 of 13 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
an expansion of creativity and inner-being, April 30, 2005
That may lean towards sounding hippi-ish, but a seemingly well-placed analogy offers itself willingly. The music speaks for itself. This is the "LSD" music of black/ambient metal. Theoretically speaking (for all the self-ordained cult elitists with a Phd in black metal) this is black metal music. Technically, Xasthur's music doesn't follow or adhere to the standard primordial black metal crusaders, that for all practical purposes "coined" a style of music. Influences obviously stem from a few of these leaders, such as Burzum, Darkthrone, Bathory, etc. But I get a lasting impression that influences also stem from Big Brother & the Holding CO., The Doors, Led Zeppelin, etc. The STLYE of music obviously wasn't imitated, but it's DEPTH & its CHARACTER undoubtedly was. I'm not reaching with that analogy either. I think that aspect is blatently clear upon first listen. So clearly it's set apart from the music of its black brethren, who, encompassing the ever prevalent three-chord/note sludge riffs, doesn't quite have the vision or DEPTH that this album exudes.
In my humble opinion, it's PRODUCTION that makes or breaks a "black" or "dark/ambient" metal band. Without proper production (usually seemingly lack thereof- wherein you've accomplished what you wanted), the vibe you want goes right out the window. This album has the cracked wall-of-sound, foggy production which makes the "LSD-ness" of it perfect to absorb. The guitars are there picking slowly away at your mind as you picture it's movement. At the same time the inexplicably amazing aural soundscape transports you somewhere. Not sure where yet. I'm still undecided. It's droning, hopeless, and meak. It's like it takes you somewhere away, but nowhere at the same rate. It's like an unending abysmal (def: immeasurably deep: wretched) spiral of soundscapes! See, that sounds pretty Janice Joplin/Willy wonka - gone the evil ambient route, does it not? That's another good analogy.
Confused yet? You should be. I have a way with words, but explaining this album has shown itself a difficult task as it were. That's as good as I can tell you for purchasing reasons. The rest is up to listening to the album yourself. Perhaps then, someone can be a bit more descriptive without being so hallucinogenic, and write their own review. It's evil abysmal metal! Fans of Burzum may or may not be fans. If you perhaps enjoy ALL of Burzum's work (metal & otherwise) you would probably enjoy Xasthur's work. These American BM bands are starting their own (...), man. It's getting artsy and I for one would be willing to put down a price on a meaningful upward movement for this stuff. I'd even go as far as making comparisons to classic/romantic/burlesque composers and visual artists. Hope I sparked some interest!
Disclaimer: I do not condone drugs and was not influenced by such, when listening to or forming my opinion about this music. God knows WHAT you would hear if you were high on something. It might get a little too scary at that point. That may enhance the music (such as it did in the 60's) but is not needed (as it wasn't nessecarily needed in the 60's). So you can still get that "LSD" effect listening sober. Enjoy.
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14 of 17 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Suicidal Drone Music. , July 13, 2005
The Black Metal scene does not need to be introduced in this day and age. It was an infamous scene from the early nighties that cultivated in murder and arson before literally dying out by becoming another commodity and a trend. There are more than enough Black Metal bands to go around, which ultimately makes it quite a chore to distinguish the truly good and original bands from the bands that are doing the same thing as everyone else. The scene has become diluted, and once something great becomes diluted it begins to decay. Instead of progressing and taking things to the next level, most bands would rather take the safe route. With the advent of Cradle of Filth and Dimmu Borgir, the scene has been deemed dead. It has become yet another banal genre of rock music. The threat that Black Metal once posed to society has been rendered impotent. It is no longer relevant, much like Punk Rock stopped meaning something once Green Day and Blink 182 brought it to the masses. In other words, Black Metal has become a product that sells pseudo-rebellion to suburban teenagers. If that is the case, then the spirit of Black Metal is dead. However, does that mean that there are no longer competent releases coming out of the scene?
Black Metal may no longer be rebellious, but it is still a multidimensional genre that can be used to explore the depths of human suffering within the confines of the modern era. Xasthur is the result of a single man's vision. Upon first listen, it is easy to draw parallels to Burzum and Abyssic Hate (which are both one man bands). However, Xasthur is an entity of its own and, while it may be recycling old ideas and exploring them in deeper depth, it still presents things in a remarkably different way. Xasthur is suicidal drone music. If you are looking for the typical fast tremelo picking and Mayhem-like guitar work that is the staple of the genre, then you should look elsewhere. Xasthur is the creation of a misanthropist who would rather disgust people than to be praised and adored by them. The music explodes in a sonic force of feedback; a painfully distorted arpeggio is played at a sickening mid-tempo pace. The drum machine gives the music a machine like feel. And although the drumming is not too imaginative, it keeps up with the music and does not detract anything from it. The music almost has a psychedelic feel to it. The sound is in shades of black; it engulfs you and leaves no room for you to breathe. The vocals are painful and full of hate. Everything you could imagine, which makes black metal grim and good, is here.
Ultimately, Xasthur succeeds because it stands above the rest of the garbage in the scene as something interesting. Of course, Xasthur is far from breaking any new ground, but what he is doing is delivering quality. That is all you can ask for from a dying scene...
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5 of 6 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Am I Dreaming?, May 19, 2005
sheer brilliance. some of the best black metal i have heard in years. executed down to the last detail with utter supremacy, Malefic brings the listener into despair and bleak crushing soundscapes. the guitar is phenominal, i cant say i have heard much better black metal guitar, it not only takes on the essential grim element, but also an eerie element that is unparalleled in the currant scene. minor and diminished chords flow through the songs in despairation. the drums complete the atmosphere, becoming slow and slipping into faster paces at all the right and essential times. i would give this release 10 stars if possible. Well done Malefic!
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