Smohalla
Résilience ()
Wydane przez ARX ProductionsRok wydania Kraj FranceNapisał Wouter8
The band’s name means "dreamer" in Sahaptian languages, and it was also the name of nineteenth-century prophet from the Wanapum tribe of Native Americans. Its black metal lineage can be traced back to Borknagar, Emperor, Solefald, Ulver and Ved Buens Ende. Smohalla aim at atmosphere over actual songcraft and as a result a lot of this record is fleeting, ethereal soundscapes full of a wide array of vocals and effects. The black metal classification comes mostly from the riffing (whenever it appears) and the ghoulish vocal styles that characterises some of the songs. The focus obviously lies on the creation of an esoteric, dreamy and fleeting atmosphere, relegating the metallic elements to the background. The drumming is minimalist and offers merely structural support. The keyboards and synthesizers are something you’d expect to hear in a ‘70’s space rock act, while overall this permeates the feeling of a traditional doom act. The influences are far and wide, that is not easy to classify this band, as it wouldn’t do justice to their amalgation of sounds, themes and ideas. This is part soundtrack, part black metal, a good dose of doom, bits of electronics and a healthy amount of dark ambient. Monk chants are suddenly alternated with blast sections and weird progressive riffing. Smohalla are finally an experimental, forward-thinking and truly adventurous band that isn’t afraid to take artistic chances and release music unbound by current trends and expectations.
arxprod.net.ua
