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Haunting (4.5 Stars)

Corneille | Canada | 09/09/2009

(4 out of 5 stars)

"There is an immense melancholic feel overwhelming the whole. And a sense of lacking too. The Resplendent Grotesque clocks under forty minutes. This is far too short. It ends just when the discomfort created by their succession of songs becomes cozy and makes you wanting for more. However, I can understand why it ends so abruptly, melancholy is knitted with a strong element of urgency throughout the album. Although no keyboards are used on this recording, this remains a pretty melodic opus, branched in the more Avant-Garde spectrum "à la" Arcturus or the likes. Besides the fact it slides on a truly more sinister slope. Certain songs like the Rattle of Black Teeth, In the Privacy of your own Bones, I Hold your Light, to name a few, are pretty haunting, sticking to the mind like stains of sadness and despair, while other like Smother the Crones and Possession is the Medecine will express more the thrashy rage and morbid urge's facets. It's impossible to review this album without mentioning the vocals. Kvohst possesses a wide palette, but his mix of clean voices is upsetting and seems to rush straight from his heart, which add a lot to the authenticity of the songs. At this point, this band is criminally underrated. The quality of the songwriting and the vocals being the highlights, this is a treat as well as a soul torture for those who appreciate artistically crafted Black Metal."