Gravecode Nebula — Sempiternal Void

The oft cloudy murk of black metal allows for many different interpretations of a well established form. Some follow the more traditional, extreme metal bent while others try to expand the genre's boundaries in subtle, but effective, ways. Gravecode Nebula, a five (?) piece out of Salt Lake City, UT (interesting!) tweaks their heavy brand of black metal with a spacey chaos. Not drifting too far from the norm, the space and synth drones are kept in check and, for the most part, in the background. Sempiternal Void was originally released digitally in November of 2013, and received a lot of praise. With the CD/cassette release in March 2014 and a double LP forthcoming, it looks like there's no excuse to check out their debut LP.

Not surprisingly for the genre, Sempiternal Void is thick with heavy guitars, fast drums, chugging bass, and pained vocals. The slow, drawn out intro of "Bloodcraft of Andromeda" begins with one long, slowly shifting note. It sounds to me like the eq's on a distortion pedal (impossible to say, but sounds like some of the sounds I've gotten out of my Digitech Death Metal) being turned to alter the sustaining feedback. Slow, deliberate, black arises from this and continues for the rest of the eleven minute run time. Not content with this pace, Gravecode entertains by speeding up to death pacing and alternately slowing it down into a sludgy, black paste. When slowing, the extra, synthy elements of Gravecode Nebula's sound emerge. Sticking to a simply drone pattern of a few notes, they're clearly here to help flesh out, not to shape the sound. There is also plenty of breakdown fun to be had. The slow, bass and drum measures of "The Frozen Sun" draw you in with their thickness and simplicity. Their bold stance against the stark, quiet background offers a false sense of security before screams and hypnotic riffing drag you before a super fuzzed out guitar. Much like "Bloodcraft," this one speeds back up, slows back down, and keeps you guessing before reopening its cloak to reveal the synthy drones and eq teased feedback.

While most extreme metal relies on putting it in your face and keeping it there, some bands keep their charming bits in the back, awaiting discovery by the listener. The track titles (and band name, I guess) reveal what Gravecode Nebula is hinting at with their approach to black metal. Space, yes, but the grimness within that space is where the meat lies. The night sky is black but also bright, and empty but also very full and oppressive. If played out, is Sempiternal Void an shot at making an allegory for the night sky being like life? Doubtful, but it doesn't seem too far off.

Gravecode Nebula's debut album is very thick, heavy, and entertaining. While oppressive and dark, it manages to open up with glimpses of light and space. Although it took a few years and a few lineup changes to get here, I hope that they've figured it out and stick with what works. I enjoyed this more than any black metal I've heard in recent memory, and would listen to what these cats put out in the future.