Nachtmystium - Silencing Machine (Album Review)
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Monday, 30 July 2012 |
Written by Ben Bland
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You know, sometimes I feel that modern metal really doesn’t have enough balls. Too many of the bands trumpeted in the mainstream metal media are limp, lifeless recreations of what has already been done much better, and, for want of a better turn of phrase, much heavier; and yes, Bullet for My Valentine I am looking at you.
 Nachtmystium are a bit different. Formed ostensibly as a black metal outfit back at the turn of the century, their sound now incorporates elements of psychedelia and post-rock alongside the cold extremity of their black metal origins, and you know what? They are everything that many modern metal bands are not. Certainly they are far from being a straightforward black metal, or even just heavy metal, band, but their music is steeped in the aggression and power that made metal music what it was and the incorporation of the aforementioned non-metal elements into their sound has only made their sound more oppressive and more...well, heavy.
Whilst the band’s 'Black Meddle' albums in 2008 and 2010 respectively were important steps in their trajectory, 'Silencing Machine' takes Nachtmystium to a whole new level.
Swathes of sound wash over the listener like the iciest of seas and threaten to carry them to all the way to hell and back. Then, somewhere near the back of the mix, Blake Judd’s tortured vocals act as the sound of a tormented spirit trapped in the fieriest of furnaces.
Atmospherically, it is as dark as any ‘traditional black metal’ record that has been released in the last few years. Despite its melodicism and its moogs, this is the sort of album that could prove utterly terrifying if combined with loneliness, a pitch black room and creaking floorboards.
More than that, this is the sort of metal music that people should be excited about. This is unyielding, invincible, epic heaviness, and it’s not afraid to take risks either. Nachtmystium have threatened to become a truly great metal band for a few years now, and 'Silencing Machine' sees them become just that. If you think that heavy metal is all about shredding or NWOBHM twin guitar leads then feel free to stay away and listen to something a bit more safe, something that your mother would bang her head to given a bit too much wine. If you think that heavy metal is about taking things to the edge and beyond, then this is for you, and surely you will agree that this will be one of the best metal albums to see the light of day (or should that be the dark of night?) in 2012.
'Silencing Machine' is out now via Century Media.
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