Black Earth — Diagrams of A Hidden Order
Opening track ‘Mantric Resonances Along Fields of Dissolution’ is a vicious blast of lo-fi blackened noise. Brutal vocals interplay with ultra-heavy drones and some filthy, scuzzy guitars to create something not too dissimilar to blackened noise masters ‘Gnaw their Tongues’. This track acts as a great introduction to the band.
Second track ‘Upon Labyrinths of Broken Mirrors’ is a multi-textured nightmare of dark ambient scuzz. Heavy drones intertwine with creepy samples as the track builds to nightmarish proportions before eventually fading down in preparation for the final assault. The track also features several really soundtracky synth lines buried in the mix. You really do hear something new with each listen as things weave in and out of the mist.
That final assault comes in the shape of ‘To Cloak a Nebulous Sun’ a six-and-a-half-minute track that fits somewhere between the two previous ones in terms of style. Again, this is so layered that each subsequent listen reveals new and interesting levels of dread. Chaotic, cacophonous, and downright brutal, this is the most intense track on the album and really pushes the boundaries.
Overall, this is as brutal and chaotic an experience as one could hope for. The album runs for a mere 18 minutes, and whilst I would have liked to hear more, I can also appreciate this is as intense an experience as one can hope for. It perhaps wouldn’t benefit from being too long as that would dilute the intensity levels. A short sharp blast of an album can often be a good thing, just remember ‘Reign in Blood’ remains the perfect brutal thrash metal record at a mere 28 minutes. This may not be the blackened noise version of that album; however, it remains a wonderful, interesting, intense, and chaotic experience.