Blut Aus Nord — 777 The Desanctification

Blut aus Nords 777 The Desanctification, is the second chapter in the 777 trilogy.  The project has been in existence since 1994, headed by Vindsval and joined by GhOst and W.D. Feld.   Their latest work, in their own words: “is meant to illustrate the moment when man finds himself embraced in the almost unbearable solitude in a deconstructed world.  Here he is void of all material and spiritual elements.  No purpose or reason to being, all political, philosophical and religious power negated; leaving reality irreversibly altered.”

All songs are titled “Epitome” (VII through XIII, continuing where 777 Sect(s) left off).  Each echo the themes previously mentioned above.  The greater question is; can Blut Aus Nord achieve this?  Musically can they illustrate the absolute desolation and confusion they hoped to convey? 

Yes.

Blut Aus Nord is a project that is surrounded by contradictions (which may be intentional and clever on their part).  They are, and have been labeled a black metal band since their inception.  Yet they eschew the tedious posing and trappings of it.  They are able to create ferocious, chaotic music, but it is tempered with melody and an undercurrent of industrial and ambient sounds.  In their 17 years they have time and again released engaging work, but they feel no need to elaborate.  Very few interviews have been done, pictures are rare and lyrics even rarer.  They simply create art and move onto the next piece.

It would be futile to dissect the subtle nuances of the seven songs contained here.  They deserve better than that, and that would also be selfish as to what other listeners glean from the experience.  What can be said is this; think of the cd as being immersed in nothingness.  All sound is distorted, yet rhythmic, sometimes giving the feeling we are in a labyrinth of rhythm.  Vocals are sparse, sometimes backward, clean or painfully harsh.  Dissonance is intertwined with powerful melody.  Metallic drum machines are intensified by acoustic drums.    Together it creates a setting that is mysterious, shadowy and supernatural. It can all be dream-like, or nightmarish depending on your disposition.  We are thrust into an atmosphere of chaos, yet we feel like we are on the verge of discovering answers to secrets we never knew.

If you like black metal that sounds like the same bands you’ve heard for the past 15 years, you might be disappointed by Blut Aus Nord.  However, if you understand the meaning and purpose behind black metal; that is the manifestation aurally and lyrically of the chaotic, you will not be let down.

Blut Aus Nord is a band that is always progressing.  They may take a few steps back now and then but they never do so without the need to remind us that the content and presentation does not have to stagnate to be black metal.  By expanding the scope of the music and metamorphosing their sound they are only furthering genre of black metal, taking some of that magic that was there in the beginning and transforming it through their own will and ability.
Just as their cd MoRT confused and angered listeners 5 years ago, so will 777 The Desanctification.   Except that will not stop Blut Aus Nord from being one of the most important bands in black metal; label it whatever you want, it is still brilliant