Review Summary: Blistering as always…
LLNN continue their quest to create the heaviest music possible. The Danish sludge/post metal quartet’s latest LP,
Unmaker drops like a wrecking ball upon you. It’s just that crushingly heavy and loud. As they march forward in their journey, more emphasis is put on synthesizers in an attempt to diversify the output. Songs like ‘Obsidian’, ‘Interloper’ or ‘Forger’ make good use of atmospheric embellishments that help shape the grandiose sonic attack the guys very convincingly unleash. The cinematic elements increase this tension, reminiscing Sci-Fi movies soundtracks with added razor sharp edges. Meanwhile, ‘Tethers’ contains driving bass lines which feel similar to gasps for air being repeatedly sunk under waves in a stormy sea. It’s also an example of a possible future direction where LLNN could expand into moodier territory. When things get claustrophobic, interludes like ‘Resurrection’ or ‘Vakuum’ enter, offering brief moments of respite for the listener. The former shares a warmer tone, combining synths, clean guitar leads and what seems to be a slightly dissonant saxophone playing in the background. The latter, on the other hand, builds up dark, pulsing drones, preparing you for the second half of the record, commencing with ‘Scion’. This is another soaring tune, featuring pounding drums and massive stop-start riffage. Moreover, ‘Division’ tears walls down with its blend of raging guitar and complementing noise. I have to praise the gritty yet rather clear production, since it magnifies all the band’s strengths. Each instrument is given its place in the mix, plus the vocals, even at their most intense, never eclipse the others. You could complain that several parts turned out familiar to previous albums, however, LLNN do such a great job with their formula. Despite its brutal sound, it’s quite easy to sit through
Unmaykr, as the tracks are beautifully fused together into a cohesive whole. This is the quartet’s most complete work so far and a must listen.
