14. Black Void - "Antithesis"

Last year, Borknager frontman Lars Are Nedland created the most wonderful and multi-faceted modern prog opus under the moniker of White Void. A good friend of mine, and fellow prog concessioner, described it as the album Twelve Night should have made and that would have catapulted them to stadium status. 

Forever a sonic pioneer, Lars has made the decision to subvert everything that White Void stood for and to create its mirror universe evil twin. “Antithesis” is everything “Anti” wasn’t. It is insular, introverted, and inward-facing. It is harsh, acidic black metal full of nihilistic rage and deconstructed sequences. It starts with a very similar soundscape to its sister record, but it warps and distorts its context, divorcing the tracks from melodic and linear structures. 

It’s such a unique and ambitious concept. Introverting an album. Twisting every component so that it concentrates on the constricted monochrome depravity as opposed to its expansive euphoric beauty. This is Black Metal laid bare, a dark journey into harsh tones and malevolent intent. A stunning juxtaposition that makes the hairs on the back of your neck stand on end.