February 9th, 2012
Genre: Black Metal
Region: Czech Republic / Sweden
As it stands I'm way behind on the requests so I'll try to sort through them when this semester's done. This is one that I'll gladly post by two great bands. Marnost a young "veganarchist" four piece with only a demo and this split, and the "green anarchist" Seeds in Barren Fields who I remember A. Lundr of Panopticon promoting a while back. Both bands offer up two gigantic tracks with quite different styles of black metal.
Marnost's song titled Svůdcové lidstva is interesting in that it seems to carefully straddle elements of post-metal, crust, traditional black metal and the more atmospheric blend across the full thirteen minutes. After the feedback intro what surfaces is shimmering drawn out notes and strong bass akin to Cult of Luna or Tesa as wails ebb in the background. Suddenly the pace is switched to thunderous black metal with the drumming picking up and the crusty deep groans seeping through. At this point the tone still has an element post-metal there without falling into familiar post-metal quirks. This is felt throughout the track as they manage to weave their way elegantly through both genres. After a spoken passage the post-metal and black metal influences meld comfortably with furious tremolo riffs and glistening chords over howls and noise. The end comes with a hypnotizing acoustic passage.
Seeds in Barren Fields is a band I have heard of though until recently I didn't get a hold of their 2011 full length. From their contribution on this split, the sixteen minute Beneath the Somber Halls, I'm quite compelled to check out that album. Beginning with rain and distant thunder, the guitars enter softly and sadly. The style here is largely melodic or atmospheric black metal though not like their North American counterparts. They're more subtly progressive with crunchy death metal gallops between powerful black rhythms, melodic twangs, and fast clanging percussion; vocally more acidic and raspy aside from a spoken passage midway through. Both guitars often follow their own paths that occasionally intersect and always ringing out beautifully. The interplay is nice. Near the ten minute mark, leading up to a long fade out, things get a little heavier with an gripping repeated passage and some notable drumming.
This is a great collaboration from two virtually unknown acts. Marnost show they are a sleeping giant while Seeds in Barren Fields have encouraged me to seek out what I've missed from them. You can hear each side by Marnost and Seeds in Barren Fields on their respective bandcamps, both have links to where you can grab a physical copy (such as Music For Liberation or directly from the bands) or download digitally for a small price. Definitely recommended.
DOWNLOAD (Mediafire)
