Unctoris — Shout Demise

Nearly 20 years after their formation, Italy's Unctoris are ready to release their debut album. After a handful of EPs and demos, fans of this act finally have an LP to throw on their turntable. Lo-fi black metal, this trio churn forth the grimness on their debut and even some old-school death riffage. With seven long tracks (well, 6 long and one average), Shout Demise is a challenge for a number of reasons. 

Black metal is an interesting beast in that it seems to be the metal genre that allows for the most free form composition - an act like Abruptum wouldn't last in the death metal circle. However, that freedom more often than not leads to sloppiness. Add to that a scene that prides itself on carnage and chaos, and the ability to go off the rails seems more of a guarantee than a rarity. Unctoris treads very close to that line, and I think only their longevity keeps them from tumbling over into the ludicrous abyss. Black metal releases act like microcosm critiques of the genre itself, with each album representing what the band feels the genre embraces and stands for. For each LP, there is a snapshot of one band's take on the entire movement. Black metal is interesting in that way, and I don't feel that this happens with other genres. Unctoris' statement is one of self-indulgence and little rules, but strict adherence to the few rules that are there. The combination of these opposing viewpoints creates a fairly troubling sound - and not in a terrifying way. More often than not, Unctoris feel like they're playing a few different songs at once...and all very fast. However, when they tip more toward an old-school death metal feel, they align very well. It's the desire to break free that sends them reeling, and their take on the genre, their LP, in turn, ends up being their undoing. With nearly 20 years under their belts, 20 years of ideas, 20 years of being in the scene, there is too much to put forth at once, no one reining it in, and no one telling this "infamous" band, "no." Much like many concepts and acts in Black Metal, a name/idea is often bigger than the act and substance doesn't have to be substantiated.

Shout Demise is the full-length debut from long-running Italian Black Metal band Unctoris. It's long-awaited, and a long listen, with many parts not working as a cohesive whole. It's tough to get through (and not in a good way), and one wonders if another 20 years would help bring it together. More likely than not, it's probably been 10+ years too long in the cooker and it's idea has become paramount and the material itself has been pushed to the back seat.