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I
know black metal is a very funny genre. I mean how could
you at least not chuckle after taking a quick look at
the guys from 1349? There is something utterly
ridiculous about it that makes it silly and cool at the
same time. Typically, I am one to quickly focus on the
music and steer away from the image, but after taking a
look at a performance from this NY band, I really
wish they grew their hair, donned panda bear makeup or
wore bullet belts. Just something man, ‘cause it totally
turns you off when you see someone looking like a
librarian and rocking it out like they came straight out
of Hades. Seriously, these dudes have the presence of a
ghost.
That said,
20 Buck Spin is one of the finest labels in the underground and
the press piece that came with this album boldly states that ‘in
some sense Liturgy represents the seeping of black metal into
the consciousness of the indie music world at large’. Now, there
is a slab of sincerity for a change. There is not a card of
presentation for Liturgy. There is music and then there is the
music. That’s it. Whatever perception the kvlt sector has of
this band seems to not matter.
But
whatever, music is always ultimate and Renihilation vindicates
this quartet as harbingers of blazing and blinding, ghostly and
ghastly, shriek and frosty black metal. Liturgy have a very
untidy sound in their hands. This shit’s wild and hysterical.
From the get go, obviating the untitled intro, the songs take
off and don’t let up. They accelerate to unbelievable speeds, so
much so that many of the tracks seem to disintegrate in thin
air. Instead, they hang in there, smashing and meshing into a
lethal hail of ice bullets.
Throughout
Renihilation the guitars lose shape and turn into some form of
extreme and organic ambient instrument. The drums are banged so
frequently there is no distance between beats, the absence or
presence of them all is hammered so hard and insistently, your
ears will be ringing for hours after the album is over. The
coldest part of all are the vocals of Hunter Hunt Hendrix, cadaveric black metal all the way through. The press piece also
hits the bulls eye when it links Renihilation to Ulver’s
masterful Nattens Madrigal. The influence is more than clear.
There is
much to admire here. If there is a downside is that the songs
move at such pace it’s easy to get lost. Worse of all, after a
while the album gets a bit samey. Liturgy has taken steps to
prevent this from happening; the endless guitar kick off in the
second "Untitled" track strategically positioned at number seven
breaks the album in two. It’s a break from the sheer speed and
the obsessive atmosphere. But it’s not enough. It’s going to be
interesting to find out where these New Yorkers take it next.
Another album just like this would be overkill.
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