46. Obsidian Tongue - 'Volume III'

American Black Metal has evolved differently to its Nordic counterpart. Rather than be taut and suffocating, it tends to be expansive and transcendental. It is not bothered with Satan or paganism but instead has taken a proactive environmentalist stand.  

“Volume III” lets its tracks unfold like rambling poems. It is in no hurry to get to the harsh bits. In fact, the journey feels more important than the end destination. It takes you by the hand and pulls you down a rabbit hole of swirling atmospherics. The five tracks become separate bubble universes. They trap you inside and rob you of all sense of time. Within, you loop over and over immersed in this glacial slow build up of noise. It is discombobulating, but also mesmerising and entrancing. There is pounding heaviness to be found within, but boy are you made to work to get to it.  

Overall, this is Black Metal as meditation aid. A compelling and fascinating record that manages to sooth as much as it grates.