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Azoic: Gateways

20/11/12 || jaimeviejo

It is crazy to think that a band typically labeled as a joke can be the forefathers of Dissonant Black Metal. I’m talking obviously about Abruptum. Even if these guys’ music is unlistenable, they opened the doors for other bands to perfect the wild sounds that they were trying to create. By mistake or on purpose, their “art” is a bizarre and grotesque creation that should have been left unborn. Later, some other twisted examples were found in the music of the Finnish titans Demilich or in the 1995 Ved Buens Ende first demo titled “Those Who Caress the Pale”.

I’m not a big fan of this discordant style that bands like Portal, Dodecahedron, Blut aus Nord or Deathspell Omega have been practicing for a while now. I can enjoy some of the albums and songs—except Portal, I’m sorry—but it is a style too demanding and chaotic. The only album that I really enjoyed was Ulcerate’s “The Destroyers of All”. In that recording, the songs sounded somewhat like Immolation’s slow riffs mixed with the groove of Gorija. In addition, it has one of the greatest drumming performances by Jamie Saint Merat.

The cover of “Gateways”, done by Tristan Barnes, is the first thing that caught my attention. Without knowing anything about this duo, it already gave me good vibes about the direction of the band. It is a weird and evil piece of art that fits the music perfectly.

The surprise here is that Azoic manages to keep things interesting the whole time (29 minutes). There are harsh riffs, blast beats, some brutal death metal elements and tons of ethereal passages and melody. The band features members of Atrum, Offerings and Unique Leader signees Beneath, already reviewed by Pr0nogo. The musicianship is very remarkable, not because they are playing a zillion notes per second, but because they touch many genres and styles while writing memorable moments that stand out. It is impressive to say the least what these two dudes from Iceland have created. A demonic cacophony that will make you shit your pants thanks to the unreal atmospheres. The sound of the band is not black metal per se, but they have the aesthetics of it while keeping some death metal fundamentals.

There is no need to spend much time trying to analyze this album, as it does speak for itself. As soon as “Apeiron” starts, you know you are up for a ride into the devil’s more disturbing rollercoaster while being chased by a swarm of bees…buzzzzzzz!!.

We have the brain melting and chaotic “Skywatchers” or the before-mentioned opening track “Apeiron”, some mid tempo tracks like “Wisdoms Prayer” and “Monasterium” and “Spirituphysics” which has a big traditional folk/black metal influence. Azoic also have time to introduce a couple of experimental and malefic experiments like “Hold bindur tómið” or “Eldlína” which sound like Neurosis’s “Erode” from “A Sun That Never Sets”.

The album works as a whole with a solid sound and identity. It is a very honest and raw debut, something rare and uncommon for today’s recording standards as bands are trying to hide their mistakes more and more. The recording doesn’t sound produced at all, and it has a fresh “home-made” and reassuring sound. I can’t say a single bad thing about this debut, and even if there is one, it seems to be drifted away by the overwhelming number of good points.

“Gateways” is a monster of a debut. A compilation of influences and styles so solid, personal and well done that is scary. Just please, somebody sign these guys.

Information
Released: 2012
Label: Self-released
Website: Azoic Facebook
Band
Benedikt: vocals, guitar, bass
Ragnar: drums

Tracklist
01. Apeiron
02. Skywatchers
03. A Portal
04. Hold bindur tómið
05. Wisdoms Prayer
06. Monasterium
07. Spirituphysics
08. Eldlína

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