Volume I: Subradiant Architecture is one of those rare records that was able to gain my attention directly with the first note I heard, makes my heart beat faster and gives me this certain powerful feeling only the best records are able to. Brendan Hayter, founder and song-writer of OBSIDIAN TONGUE, played in Woods of Ypres as well, and so it’s not very surprising that this record creates a similar, epic atmosphere. At a lot of moments Subradiant Architecture also reminds me of Agalloch, due to the same way as the tension throughout the record is built up and kept until the end and how the hymnic melodies are woven into the harsh, metallic soundscape.
But OBSIDIAN TONGUE (from Massachusetts) do not dish the same musical variety as Agalloch – there are basically no references to Post Rock, and only very few to Neo Folk. The main ingredient is definitely “organic” Black Metal, in the same manner as played by a lot of “Cascadian Black Metal” bands, even though with a crispier, more powerful production and a lot more variation in the riffage and rhythm section going on. Besides melodic, blast-beaten passages there are many slow-paced moments as well, with massive amounts of head-bang worthy groove going on, that brings the epicness to the boil – drummer Greg Murphy (also in Blood of Gods with Hayter) easily manages to deliver the right punch that’s needed in all situations. Some acoustic interludes perfectly give the main points in an outstandingly exciting record.
The vocals ain’t no let-down either: Mainly bawling out ghastly screams, Hayter adds just the perfect amount of diversion by a few deep, guttural passages as well as some clean vocals, which just fit perfectly into the whole cold world Subradiant Architecture creates.
Volume I: Subradiant Architecture by OBSIDIAN TONGUE is another proof that a good bunch of forceful, epic and exciting Black Metal is coming from the US these days and not only from Scandinavia: highly recommend for all the wanderers above the mountains and the seas.
The album is available from Dissociation Records.
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