PlanetMosh Keeping it Metal
The one man machine that is Vardan, can never be accused of resting on his laurels and watching time drift by. This album is the second release so far this year, continuing the trend of the three offerings made last year. It really interests me as to what motivates him to produce an almost continual cycle of Black Metal with amazing regularity, perhaps creative demons demand non stop deliverance, or of course, he could just be bloody good at it.
“Enjoy Of Deep Sadness” is made up of a mere three tracks but each one is an epic tale of despair in its own right, clocking as they do in excess of eleven minutes each, this is no half hearted affair. Depressive Suicidal Black Metal (DSBM) is a sub genre that many are reluctant to immerse themselves in, afraid perhaps to delve too deep into the dark regions of ones psyche, fearing what we may find. I personally, have always embraced it, and therefore thoroughly enjoyed drowning in the melancholic waters of Vardans latest work.
Although each of the tracks on offer have their own traits and signatures, there is, as you might expect, a connecting framework between them. The Funeral Doom paced riffs are in abundance, as is the grating vocal sound synonymous with the genre but enough twists and turns are revealed to ensure that my full attention was kept at all times.
“A Broken Existence” for example, begins with such oppressing and soul searching drama, leading down an avenue of crushed hopes and dreams, pausing only to gaze into gutters of lost souls, that I had to return to the land of the living before continuing further.
The title track, whilst following the same path in terms of pace, comes across as a much more lamenting and sorrowful piece, fuelled by despairing wails of sadness and sorrow, and in many ways became a much easier track to digest.
“An Abstract Voice” pushes hard at becoming my pick of the bunch, it possesses a welcome melodic feel, albeit well veiled by the crushing pain and depression that remains at the fore throughout.
Let’s face it, this kind of music will never be in vogue, it just does not sit easy amongst the preferences of many Metal fans. For me, that reason alone makes it worthy of a deeper and more thorough investigation, some of the most hauntingly beautiful and meaningful pieces of music written, have come from this genre, and Vardan continues this trend. Highly recommended.
Released through Moribund Records on August 5th .
https://www.facebook.com/vardanmetal?fref=ts
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X0UtnHzBDvo
- £8.99
