ALBUM REVIEW: Slain In The Spirit – Necronautical

As of late, it feels as though some of the strongest contenders in black metal are coming from the depths of the UK. The city of Manchester being one that appears to be an unstoppable cog in the machine at churning bands out. One in particular, NECRONAUTICAL, seem to have become established as one of the most respected bands within the scene since their 2010 inception. Now, the band set to step up their game with their fourth studio album, Slain In The Spirit.

Stereotypically, black metal doesn’t stray too far from the path of the exploration of the darkness in life and beyond. Slain In The Spirit however sets out to uncover more layers to the usual stylistic approach to the genre, in both visual and musical elements. Stemming from the idea of how people in the Evangelical Church system become so overcome by the power of spirituality, they would talk in tongues and try to induce spiritual experiences in their followers or disciples.

This approach at delving into the more mystical side of experiences with religion and death plays a significant role in how the musical elements from NECRONAUTICAL have stepped up. The Mancunian band have always expressed something grandeur within their sound, but the mysticism that they have explored adds to those elements on a larger scale. Tracks such as Occult Ecstatic Indoctrination and Pure Consciousness Event are clear examples in the development of sound from the band.

As opposed to just straight black metal, NECRONAUTICAL uses the influence of more symphonic and progressive genres. Operatic female vocals align with aggressive fast-paced riffs on Ritual Recursion whilst on the album title track, Naut’s vocals build up to a melodic and enchanting finale of those same operatic higher-pitched tones.

Hypnagogia is a synth-fuelled beast that doesn’t bleed in from where Slain In The Spirit leaves off. It’s around this mid-point on the album where there’s a real sense of losing control, there is no straight line to follow and the whole thing feels like a terrifying trip. Every song on the album has a mind of its own, but that’s what makes the album truly magnificent. Even the cover of Disciple (SLAYER) is a total 180 and casts a new light on the angle of the lyrical content. NECRONAUTICAL have taken what is considered one of the most iconic songs from the thrash legends and turned it into a journey of a dark hallucination.

It’s an obvious statement to make that this is a step forward for the black metal band. They have broken down the boundaries of what is expected and crafted an album that is in its darkest format, even with lighter influence partaking. NECRONAUTICAL have proven over their previous releases that they deserve the success they have received prior, what Slain In The Spirit does is sets a new target on allowing the band to be one of the most influential bands in the scene in recent years. This is an album that is the true definition of stepping up in the game and showing that you aren’t meant to stay in the realms of stereotypical styles.

Rating: 9/10

Slain In The Spirit is out now via Candlelight Records. 

Like NECRONAUTICAL on Facebook.