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Dødheimsgard‘s Black Medium Present is a portal to a different universe. There are such a lot of excellent creators within the style. But, I definitely maintain the opinion that DHG‘s co-founder “Vicotnik,” Yusaf Parvez, is likely one of the motion’s best artists.
Though Dødheimsgard has been a revolving door of musicians over time, Vicotnik clearly has the precise staff of dependable males round him at current. The maestro is presently joined by three unimaginable abilities: Lars Emil Måløy of If Nothing Is; “Tommy Weapons,” or Tommy Thunberg, of Kirkebrann; and Øyvind Myrvoll — Vicotnik‘s associate in crime in Dold Vorde Ens Navn and a collaborator of Mayhem‘s Teloch in Nidingr.
Black Medium Present is an intensely private work that requires an open thoughts. That is not troublesome as a result of the album’s radical honesty is definitely disarming, although there are moments of seductive guile and playfulness. One of many explanation why Black Medium Present is so rewarding is as a result of it is a very “giving” providing. It holds your hand with paternal warmness and sagacity — not precisely your norm on the subject of black metallic.
Black Medium Present provides you the unnerving but exhilarating sensation of being swallowed by a black gap. It means that you can look squarely into the abyss, with which it converses. Though a confrontation with the abyss is each a hazard and a blessing, one useful side is that this album demonstrates the that means of creation from the void. It opens up new areas, which it rapidly fills and in addition empties.
From the darkish backdrop, all types of variegated shape-shifting photographs come up with the brightness of supernovae. As a result of it shines with all colours of the rainbow, this planetarium of an album generally turns into the sonic equal of white gentle. The compositions impart the sensations of floating in outer house, swimming with the bioluminescent creatures of the deep sea, crawling amidst the lushness of the rainforest, strolling by the imperial buildings of the town, and many others. Every little thing about Black Medium Present feels larger-than-life, larger-than-death.
This album is a journey that simply must be skilled and continually re-experienced firsthand. Regardless of the album’s extra fashionable and futuristic features, we hear riffs that generally place us on the coronary heart of the ’90s. Retro vibes creep in at instances as properly. This works properly to extend the concord and dissonance between the current, previous, and future.
The songwriting is pure genius. Every instrument is used brilliantly. Along with the standard suspects, Black Medium Present options cello, theremin, piano, and flute. Electronics are integrated in a masterful method that provides texture and often enhances the glittering intergalactic really feel. You would possibly assume {that a} black metallic providing would lose a few of its integrity and grow to be a bit synthetic as a result of mixture of such various parts, but it surely stays purely natural, palpable, alive.
You by no means know the place the present of this magnum opus will lead. Songs can change fully and on the drop of a dime, but that is achieved with grace. The fascinating factor is that you just at all times know when a tune has ended, although their inside threads could not at all times be perceptible to purpose. Black Medium Present options largely lengthy compositions, the lengthiest of which is almost 11 minutes.
DHG‘s different vocalists have been distinctive prior to now: once more, Aldrahn; Kvohst; and sure — we have even heard some extra vocals by Fenriz in addition to lead vocals on a few tracks by Apollyon. Nonetheless, the soiled fact is that I used to be actually completely satisfied that Vicotnik dealt with the vocals this time round. Vicotnik has a finesse and theatrical aptitude that place him on a degree above even the best thespians. Along with making selections which are good from an analytical perspective, his performances seep into the darkest corners of your soul and permit you to really feel intensely linked to the music! His vocals on Black Medium Present are heartful perfection.
Throughout the course of the album, Vicotnik adopts quite a lot of vocal approaches and sometimes provides you the impression that he has morphed into another person. The layers make you are feeling like you’re seeing doubles, triples, roomfuls of Vicotiniks. He forces you to remain within the second: A syllable or sound can start in a means that evokes one emotion, possibly pleasure tinged with amusement, and fully rework, for instance into emotions of despair or vacancy.
The Norwegian language all through Black Medium Present engenders a particular intimacy and sense of environment. Nevertheless, when English first seems on the third monitor, “Interstellar Nexus,” it pops off the canvas of the music in an awfully daring means. The album has a superhero really feel at instances that the English language definitely enhances. Black Medium Present‘s mixture of Norwegian and English is suitable for a philosophical document insofar because it constructs a bridge between the actual and the common.
Black Medium Present represents black metallic at a excessive stage of evolution and a return to the primordial waters of chaos from which the motion arose. Throughout the first tune, “Et smelter,” Vicotnik mentions Dronningens gate, or “Queen’s Road,” twice. Dronningens gate was an necessary assembly place for members of the scene. On the final monitor, “Requiem Aeternum,” we hear: “The king is useless.” This might presumably be a reference to Dødheimsgard‘s first album, Kronet til konge (1995), “Topped to be King.” In any case, we really feel that some noble passage has taken place, which is sensible as a result of Vicotnik is the phoenix who retains rising so as to shock us with new creative triumphs.
Black Medium Present is a vital album that speaks to the truth that we’re eternally touring homeward “in defeat” to Dødheimsgard.
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