What if black metal was capable of
being accessible to the outsider? What if you could cut through all
the pretensions of the surrounding culture straight to the throbbing
musical core? What if there were more bands out there like
Nachtmystium? What makes this impressive outfit even more impressive
is the fact that the entire project is overseen by a single man. That
man is Blake Judd (one of the masterminds behind kvlt supergroup,
Twilight) and for the past few years it has been his modus operandi
to completely deconstruct black metal only to rebuild it in his own
image. This is a harsh, foreboding landscape indeed and you need a
strong stomach for powerful, oppressive music if you intend on
staying here for any period of time. No more Mr nice guy. Welcome
back to hell.
If all of you know of this band is
their (admittedly excellent) two-part album Black Meddle then prepare
to be surprised at what you find in Silencing Machine. Those two
albums (Assassins in 2008 and Addicts in 2010) served their purpose
well as an opportunity for Judd to travel new ground in metal and to
appeal to fans of more experimental music that could be drawn into
his world. All this talk of being “accessible” is bound to make
you think that Judd and co have gone soft. Have a listen to 'And I
Control You' and tell me that they have. They are just as heavy as
ever it's just that they are finding new ways to be that. The time
for experimentation is clearly over.
From the first ragged notes of 'Dawn
over the Ruins Of Jerusalem' through to the gnashing coda of 'These
Rooms In Which We Weep' Nachtmystium take absolutely no prisoners.
'Decimation Annihilation' verges on industrial's bleak wrath that has
been shoved into black metal's scorched-earth wheelhouse. And then
there's 'Borrowed Hope and Broken Dreams' which apes Sonic Youth
right up until those scourging vocals kick in. These are sharp, heavy
tunes that benefit from the masterful playing of the studio band,
which features members of Wolves In The Throne Room, and
Lord Mantis as well as other Twilight alumni. With such incredible talent behind the record it was
always going to make people stand up and take notice.
Nachtmystium is a process of careful
and constant redefinition in their pursuit of black metal's heart – every new avenue they segue down gives
their hellish symphony another trick up its sleeve. The hooks are
buried deep under the skin of every song, so deep that you can easily
pretend that they're not there at all if that is your persuasion.
With Silencing Machine Judd and crew have made the album they
were destined to make. At nearly an hour long I can imagine many
unable to ride this one out but those that do will find an American
black metal masterpiece.
Rating: B+
Recommended tracks: Decimation
Annihilation, The Lepers of Destitution
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