A few of you who know me on this site know that I am one of the quickly declining number of people who still buy music on an almost weekly basis. Many of you do not understand why I buy something that I can get extremely easily and for free. However, this album is the perfect example to why you should step foot inside a local records store once in awhile. It just so happened that the night I bought this album there was another customer in the shop talking with the owner about albums that are awesome, past and present. And I join in on the conversation. Quickly, I turn the conversation to black metal, because it has been a pretty good year for genre all around this year. A couple of bands and some nerd talk later, this album gets brought up and the owner happens to have a copy of it. I’m convinced; I take it to the counter, purchase it, drive home, and throw it onto the computer for a quick listen. It is here that I realize two things: the album is awesome and that it’s much cooler to get recommendations from someone who lives right by you.
Quietly, Undramatically manages to have a definite second wave black metal sound while bumping up the production and throwing some very memorable sections into the mix. The riffs are anything but standard fare and to try to pass it off as so would be a travesty; this is an extremely fast black metal album, although there are a few slower passages to break up the intensity. The drumming might possibly be some of the best you come across within the genre. It’s difficult to find variety on the drums within this genre with bands often following the same snare and cymbal hits song after dreaded song. However, here there is an incredible amount of variety, and clarity, something for which you won’t be prepared. Over the droning guitars and background bass (where Ulver instantly comes to mind) the cymbals ring through almost completely crystal clear, and it’s a unique approach to a drum mix for a black metal album. And the vocals are just as varied as the drum patterns, which include the obvious high-pitched shriek, but also include a few death metal inspired moments, singing, and group vocals. That’s right, group vocals. The hardcore kids might think that it’s their specialty; but on “Hatred Is Our Heart” they bring in some actual fun to a track that wouldn’t have any without it.
And while the album flows very well and never drags for a second, it still has one track that manages to stand above the rest. The thirteen minute “Full Circle” should define the modern day black metal song. If I were to compare it to any song I’ve heard, it would have to be “Jane Doe” by Converge. Just like that song there are repeated changes between structure on the song, as it contrasts between two different moods within itself. And just like “Jane Doe”, the last couple of minutes are musically untouchable. There really isn’t a way for me to describe it. It’s a complete release of every emotion possible, all let go at once to create one of the most intense moments you’ll hear (at least this year). However, unlike Jane Doe where the obvious build up to final crash is brought on by a woman, here it is questionable of what in fact the torment is actually a product. But it really doesn’t matter: you owe yourself to listen to this song at least once, whether you like the genre itself or not. And here we have an album with no obvious flaws, with no sight of filler, and with no over the top antics often found in the genre. This is an excellent American black metal album. Can somebody wake me up?
