Barbelith/Deathless Master/2023 EP Review

 

  Baltimore,  Maryland's  Barbelith  has  returned  with  a  new  recording  which  shows  the  music  going  for  more  of  an  atmospheric  and  depressive  style  of  post  black  metal  and  this  is  a  review  of  his  self  released  2023  ep  "Deathless  Master".

  Clean  playing  starts  off  the  ep  and  also  brings  in  elements  of  post  rock  while  the  only  track  that  is  present  on  the  recording  is  over  20  minutes  in  length.  When  the  music  speeds  up  a  great  amount  of  tremolo  picking  and  blast  beats  can  be  heard  which  also  gives  the  song  more  of  a  raw  feeling.

  At  times  the  music  also  gets  very  atmospheric  sounding  while  the  vocals  are  mostly  high  pitched  depressive  black  metal  screams.  When  guitar  solos  and  leads  are  utilized  they  are  also  done  in  a  very  melodic  style  along  with  the  riffs  also  adding  in  a  decent  amount  of  melody  and  the  track  also  adds  in  a  good  mixture  of  slow,  mid  paced  and  fast  parts,  clear  singing  can  also  be  heard  briefly  and  keyboards  are  also used  towards  the  end.

  On  this  recording  Barbelith  goes  for  more  of  an  atmospheric  and  depressive  style  of  post  black  metal  as  well  as  creating  a  21  minute  length  epic  song.  The  production  sounds  very  professional  while  the  lyrics  cover  lost  time  themes.

  In  my  opinion  this  is  another  great  sounding  recording  from  Barbelith  and  if  you  are  a  fan  of  atmospheric  and  depressive  post  black  metal,  you  should  check  out  this  ep.  8  out  of  10.

  https://barbelith.bandcamp.com/album/deathless-master     

    

Barbelith/Mirror Unveiled/Grimoire Records/2014 CD Review

  Barbelith  are  a  band  from  Maryland  that  has  been  featured  before  in  this  zine  and  plays  a  depressive  and  atmospheric  form  of  post  black  metal  and  this  is  a  review  of  their  2014  album  "Mirror  Unveiled"  which  was  released  by  Grimoire  Records.

  A  very  dark,  distorted  and  heavy  post  black  metal  sound  starts  off  the  album  and  after  a  minute  the  music  starts  adding  in  more  of  a  raw  and  melodic  sound  along  with  some  blast  beats  and  grim,  high  pitched  screams  as  well  as  a  good  mixture  of  slow,  mid  paced  and  fast  parts  and  the  solos  and  leads  the  band  uses  are  very  melodic  and  adds  more  to  the  post  black  metal  style  of  the  recording.

  Clean  playing  can  be  heard  quite  a  bit  in  some  parts  of  the  recording  and  they  bring  in  more  of  a  progressive  metal  sound  to  the  bands  musical  style  along  with  some  synths  and  a  couple  of  the  tracks  are  very  long  and  epic  in  length  and  the  songs  do  also  bring  in  a  good  mixture  of  clean  acoustical  parts  and  heavy  raw  black  metal elements  which  also  leads  to  the  screams  adding  in  more  dsbm  influences.

  All  of  the  musical  instruments  on  the  recording  have  a  very  powerful  sound  to  them  and  you  can  hear  a  great  amount  of  indie,  hardcore  and  post  rock  influences  being  mixed  into  the  bands  musical  sound  which  also  gives  the  songs  a  lot  more  variety  and  originality  and  they  also  bring  in  a  couple  of  tracks  that  are  a  little  bit  more  shorter  and  around  6  to  4  minutes.

  Barbelith  creates  another  raw,  depressive,  atmospheric  and  melodic  post  black  metal  recording  with  this  album  as  well  as  demonstrating  a  great  amount  of  progress  as  musicians  while  also  remaining  true  to  their  style,  the  production  sounds  very  dark,  raw  and  heavy  while  th e lyrics  cover  consciousness,  astral  travel,  introspection,  darkness  and  life.

  In  my  opinion  this  is  another  great  sounding  recording  from  Barbelith  and  if  you  are  a  fan  of  raw  and  atmospheric,  post  black  metal,  you  should  check  out  this  album.  RECOMMENDED  TRACKS  INCLUDE  "Astral  Plane"  and  "Reverse  Fall".  8  out  of  10.

http://grimoirerecords.bandcamp.com/album/mirror-unveiled

Barbelith Interview

1. Can you tell us a little bit about the band for those that have never heard of you before?

We are a single entity, comprising four individuals bound together in the process of filtering the ancient sounds of our souls through the material of consensus reality.

2. How would you describe your musical sound?

Diverse expression on a pure collaborative level. We take atmospheric black metal as a sonic basis but impose no limitations on how our songs develop from there.

3. What are some of the lyrical topics and subjects the band explores with the music?

We seek to expose the inherent darkness of the human soul while pointing to the inevitable light found when that darkness is acknowledged and accepted within the self.

4. What is the meaning and inspiration behind the band's name?

"Barbelith" is derived from the comic book series "The Invisibles." The eponymous protagonists live outside the illusion of controlled society, fighting the forces that chain humankind. Barbelith is a sentient satellite object that appears to each of the main characters, helping them awaken from the dream and comprehend their innermost selves.

5. What are some of the best shows that the band has played so far and how would you describe your stage performance?

We see our live performances as primal rituals that allow us to extend the energy of our personal practice to an audience. Each performance is special in different ways, but a recent highlight was our performance at this year's Ratscape festival in Baltimore.

6. Do you have any touring or show plans for the future?

We're currently taking a short break from live performance to focus on new material.

7. Currently you are unsigned, are you looking for a label or received any interest?

We are in the process of mixing two new songs for a 7-inch release. We hope to find a like-minded label to release them once they're ready. 8.On a worldwide level how has the feedback been to your music by fans of black metal?

Though our international audience is limited as of yet, those who have seen us perform or listened to our existing recordings have been very receptive to what we're doing, black metal fans included.

9.Are any of the band members involved with any other musical projects?

Though we approach Barbelith as a singular entity, we have very diverse interests as individuals. Our other projects include ¥awn, Nostalgique, Gutterhooks, Red Supergiant, Soul Glimpse, Eternity Eyes, Mark Plasma, and Pallid.

10. What direction do you see your music heading into on future releases?

More dense atmospherics and hypnotic melodies

11. What are some bands or musical styles that have influenced your music and also what are you listening to nowadays?

We take influence from our individual life situations and emotional struggles, incorporating those passions into our music. We each have individual influences, but it's not what we rely on for musical inspiration.

12.Outside of music what are some of your interests?

We are all active participants in Baltimore's arts culture. Our interests lie in any and all forms of higher expression.

13.Any final words or thoughts before we wrap up this interview?

Your journey is always in bloom

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Barbelith/Self Titled/2012 EP Review

  Barbelith  are  a  band  from  Baltimore,  Maryland  that  plays  a  very  atmospheric  form  of  depressive  black  metal  and  this  is  a  review  of  their  self  released  and  self  titled  2012  ep.

  Song  one  "Intro"  starts  out  with  a  very  dark  and  atmospheric  ambient  synth  before  the  melodic  chanting  checks  in    which  also  sets  up  a  perfect  beginning  for  the  ep.

  Song  two  "Underfed  Limbs  Of  Heritage"  starts  of  with  a  slow  melodic  post  black  metal  riff  and  powerful  drumming  before  the  high  pitched  black  metal  screams  which  in  turns  leads  to  the  heavy  and  melodic  sounding  depressive  black  metal  riffing  staying  that  way  for  a  few  seconds,  then  the  song  starts  speeding  up  a  bit  with  some  primitive  elements  before  slowing  down  for  awhile  until  the  fast  and  melodic  guitars  start  kicking  in  with  the  song  switching  back  and  forth  from  fast  to  slow,  then  the  song  reverts  back  to  the  open  riff  which  in  returns  switches  back  to  being  heavy  again  with  the  song  closing  with  a  very  melodic  sounding  guitar  solo  and  synths.

  Song  three  "Under  A  Waning  Room"  starts  out  with  some  slow  and  heavy  depressive  black  metal  riffs  before  the  drums  and  screams  kick  in,  setting  up  the  pace  for  the  melodies  to  kick  in  which  leads  to  the  guitars  getting  heavier  and  the  screams  more  depressive,  the  song  than  switches  of f  into  some  soft  post  rock  playing  along  with  some  melodic  cries  before  reverting  back  to  heavier  guitars  and  grim  screaming,  slowly  the  semi  blast  beats  from  the  drums  kick  in  which  sets  up  the  mood  for  the  mid  paced  parts  and  ambient  sound  effects.

  Song  four  "Inward  Quest"  starts  off  with  some  clean  and  soft  playing  and  slow  drums  before  the  clean  singing  melodic  vocals  kick  in  staying  that  way  for  a  minute  then  the  song  switches  to  heavier  guitars  and  depressive  screams  before  going  back  to  being  soft,  slower  the  full  chords  and  dark  vocals  kick  in  and  then  the  song  goes  back  to  being  heavy,  the  screams  get  louder  as  well  the  riffs  adding  in  a  lot  of  melody,  slowly  the  heavy  bass  line  kicks  in,  the  riffs  get  slower  but  heavier  which  leads  to  some  depressive,  suicidal  black  metal  cries  before  the  song  closes  with  a  semi  blast  beat  from  the  drums  and  melodic  guitar  leads.

  Song  five  "Outro"  starts  out  soft  and  atmospheric  with  some  ambient  sound  effects  kicking  in  which  in  returns  closes  the  ep.

  Song  writing  on  this  recording,  covers  dark  and  depressive  themes,  while  the  production  has  a  dark  and  powerful  with  the  bass  being  mixed  down  low  in  the  mix,  but  the  drums,  vocals,  and  guitars  have  a  great  sounding  quality  to t hem.

  In  my  opinion  Barbelith  are  a  very  great  sounding  atmospheric,  depressive  black  metal  band  and  if  you  are  a  fan  of  this  musical  genre,  you  should c heck  out  this  ep.  RECOMMENDED  TRACKS  INCLUDE  "Underfed  Limbs  Of  Heritage"  and  "Innward  Quest".  RECOMMENDED  BUY.

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