ALBUM REVIEW: Misotheist – Misotheist

Anonymity is a hard thing to achieve in 2018 with things like a simple tattoo outing SLIPKNOT‘s bassist and a slip on Nergal’s Instagram revealing the GHOST lead singer Tobias Forge. Even faceless Soundcloud accounts lead to some sort of Facebook page or social media presence. This is not the case with MISOTHEIST, though. All we’re told is they’re from Norway and that this self-titled record is their first release. This isn’t to create an aura of mystery about themselves or to hide, but so that the only focus is on their sonic output, which happens to be furious black metal.

MISOTHEIST’s debut is being dragged out of the abyss of anonymity by Terratur Possessions, the label which also brought us MISþYRMING‘s 2015 debut and the two acts walk a similar line between atmospheric etherealism and unbridled brutality. MISOTHEIST, however, has more of a cult feel. It’s condensed production gives it a feeling as if it had been found within a black hole in the throne room of a decaying tomb. The vocalist’s scoured growls and screeches echo throughout its halls warding off whoever dares enter.

Whilst this offering is only three tracks long, it does offer a wide range of atmosphere and carnage in each hand, all songs being ten-minute plus journeys which range from ferocious speed to world-building slower moments. The midsection of the first track Carriers Of Captivity feels claustrophobic and bleak with the crusty and disjointed guitars whilst the vocals feel like they’re whispering right in your ear like you’re trapped with them in some sort of solitary cell.

This is a stark contrast to the folk-like the intro of Beast And Soil which instantly conjures a feeling of the vast and wide Norwegian forest-scapes and the natural beauty of the band’s homeland. Within the second track, the band go from blast beats and breaks sounding like a well kept underground secret of the second wave of black metal to ending the track with soaring guitars and effects galore to sound like the climax of a PANOPTICON record, blending both ends of the black metal spectrum within minutes. The third track Blood Of Rats is less varied and more of your standard black metal plodding about, slow bits with creepy vocals into feral blasts etc. It’s good at what it does but feels more boxed in and familiar than the two tracks which proceed it.

This uncovered tome created by MISOTHEIST is a decent rarity for anyone wishing to get their hands on more underground releases this year but is far from an essential find. Those cult diggers will enjoy and look forward to seeing if they put out anything else in the future, but even the most hardcore of them will admit there is limited replay value and won’t be jumping to press instantly.

Rating: 7/10

Misotheist is out now via Terratur Possessions.