By Phil Cooper
‘In the Lugubrious Silence of Eternal Night’ represents the second full length album from Golden Ashes. A project drawn from the prolific well that is the creative mind of Maurice de Jong, largely connected to Gnaw Their Tongues but also associated with an array of other black metal projects. The sound of Golden Ashes initially appears to be straight up atmospheric black metal. Yet, since their first EP release and previous album there has been extra dimensions to the style on offer to those willing to deeper. This second album is no different.
A sonic maelstrom greets the listener with opening track ‘As Sacred Bodies Wither into Nothingness’. A torrent of blast beats and aggressive guitars combine to deliver a heavy weight sound. Backing this up is a wall of layered synths, a common theme throughout the album. It takes a moment to unpack the layers being presented but once accessed the track opens out and the various elements can be picked out and the melodies and rhythms holding the track together are heard. The vocals don’t cut through the top layer of the mix but are used instead as another layering element with the synth becoming the overriding focus. It’s possible to listen to the opening track a number of times and on each occasion find a different element to draw the ears in.
The tone for the following seven tracks is firmly set as the opener draws to a close. There is an overriding feel of heavy to all of the music. Stylistic elements of black metal from the rapid, aggressive drumming combining with razor sharp guitar riffs create the base for the crushing sound. The guttural vocal layer adds to this and increases the swirling thick texture. However, the inclusion of the synth accompaniment adds a diversity that allows for a melodic edge to take hold, tracks like ‘Amongst the Mossy Tombs’ and ‘From Grace into Utter Ruin’ use this to great effect. Alleviating some of the full force brutality and allowing more room for the melody to lift the music, if only for a short time. This technique allows for the listener to draw more from the music and not become over-burdened with the raw intensity that is ever present.
As the album draws to a close, the penultimate track ‘Black Mouths Murmur Black Prayers’ showcases some of the best song-writing. It opens with a synth-based atmospheric build up, layers are gradually introduced before the rhythm section cuts in with the guitars providing the drive. Once again, it’s a heavy sound that dominates as found else where on the album, however, the initial synth base has not been lost and continues to provide a pivotal layer. The vocals are buried deep within the mix, yet can still be picked out, this adds to the texture but also focusses the listeners attention on the music more than the lyrics. The track continues to fill out creating a melody within the dominant raw rhythm patterns. The outro encapsulates the full atmospheric bearing of the album as the synths that have been there all along elevate the feel of the music to a dramatic conclusion.
Upon first listen, these eight tracks might appear to be inaccessible to many. The maelstrom created by the swirling synths, intense guitars, crushing rhythm section and raw vocals come across as a slab of intensity. Indeed, the album could be listened to on this merit alone. Allowing for the heavy-set texture to wash over the listener and be lost in the ferocious attack. However, after a bit of time different elements begin to become apparent, there is an order to the chaos. It’s this that keeps the listener coming back. There’s a lot to take on and as each layer is exposed the music opens out and new meanings to be identified with. There is much more than what is just on the surface.
- ‘In the Lugubrious Silence of Eternal Night’ is available now. You can get your copy HERE.
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