Instead of opting for the incredibly simplistic Burzum (which I totally expected. C’mon, look at that noose on the album cover!) or Darkthrone worship that one man black metal bands typically go for, Hrizg’s approach is a bit more complex. That’s not to say that the album deviates from the mold of second wave, Norwegian black metal, but it does manage to sound more sophisticated and mature than many other bands. Sure, it does have hate-fueled tremolo riffs, spiteful rasps, and blast beats, but it switches things up enough to keep the album interesting. “No Life After Life” showcase some of these moments I’m talking about. Despite being a totally by-the-books black metal track in the riffing department, it actually shows some degree of creativity with the drums, which are what drive the track forward and give it a great sense of pace. The solitary guitar riff and the inclusion of a choir on “The Hall of Falseness and Impurity” make for the highlight of the album, but the whole thing is abnormally good and easy to dig into for a solo project.

The short runtime (just forty minutes) no doubt contributes to how easy it is to listen to Individualism in just one sitting, but a strong songwriting sense is key. Not every riff is a homerun, but the songs transition and flow brilliantly. Individualism isn’t something I’m going to reach for when I’m driving or reading a book, but as something to sit down and digest it’s pretty great.