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Mgła - Exercises In Futility



8.9 | 614 votes |
Release date: 4 September 2015
Style: Black metal

Owners:

378 have it
45 want it


01. Exercises In Futility I
02. Exercises In Futility II
03. Exercises In Futility III
04. Exercises In Futility IV
05. Exercises In Futility V
06. Exercises In Futility VI

The Best Black Metal Album Of 2015
Top 20 albums of 2015: 1
Top 200 albums of all time: 55

Additional info
Cover artwork made by the nineteenth century French illustrator Marcel Roux.

Guest review by
Alina Zia
Rating:
7.0
Exercises In Futility is purportedly Mgła's nonpareil album and has been dithyrambically eulogized. It has accresced the adulation of black metal's habitués over the years.

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published 05.05.2020 | Comments (22)

Guest review by
brimarsh
Rating:
9.7
After years of distancing myself from the black metal scene and community, my revisitations are brief and fleeting. I do not seek out new releases as fervently as I once did; old favorites have phased out of my habitual rotation, whether due to apathy or evolution of taste, I could not say. Yet, Mgła has remained a constant and daily indulgence. They're never further than the tip of my tongue in conversations of recommendations with the less initiated, yet open-minded pursuant of music?and I consider their entire discography to be of utmost importance in not only black metal, but in the entirety of metal's more extreme subsets.

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published 28.08.2020 | Comments (24)

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Comments: 116   Visited by: 1562 users
03.03.2016 - 23:06
no one
Account deleted
K i'm going to give it another point after another listen, simply because i understand more why people would like it. But its just not my style, a bit too uplifting maybe
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03.03.2016 - 23:26
Rating: 6
Karlabos
Meat and Potatos
Written by Guest on 03.03.2016 at 23:06

K i'm going to give it another point after another listen, simply because i understand more why people would like it. But its just not my style, a bit too uplifting maybe

too "fluffy"?
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"Aah! The cat turned into a cat!"
- Reimu Hakurei
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04.03.2016 - 01:17
no one
Account deleted
Written by Karlabos on 03.03.2016 at 23:26

Written by Guest on 03.03.2016 at 23:06

K i'm going to give it another point after another listen, simply because i understand more why people would like it. But its just not my style, a bit too uplifting maybe

too "fluffy"?

Too cute and fluffy
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09.03.2016 - 23:09
Auntie Sahar
Drone Empress
Written by tea[m]ster on 01.03.2016 at 22:53

What is with black metal and non-existent bass. This sound is way to "fluffy". I like the riffs and melodies but there just isn't enough "oomph".

Someone needs a little Oranssi Pazuzu in their life
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I am the Magician and the Exorcist. I am the axle of the wheel, and the cube in the circle. “Come unto me” is a foolish word: for it is I that go.

~ II. VII
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26.03.2016 - 13:40
Fallen Ghost
Craft Beer Geek
Friggin excellent album, going to buy this. Actually one of the best black metal albums I've ever heard! Also, that riff in song number 5, holy shit I lose my mind everytime I listen to it!
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10.06.2016 - 16:18
Rating: 10
Copernicus

I'm addicted to this album
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10.06.2016 - 17:33
LuciferOfGayness
Account deleted
Written by Copernicus on 10.06.2016 at 16:18

I'm addicted to this album

Dont worry, it will wear off.
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27.07.2016 - 03:10
Jaeryd
Nihil's Maw
Decent/average black metal. Was fun enough to listen to, but didn't blow my mind.
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27.07.2016 - 13:04
!J.O.O.E.!
Account deleted
Mgla's popularity: black metal's biggest mystery.
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27.07.2016 - 13:56
Rating: 9
Paz

Written by Guest on 27.07.2016 at 13:04

Mgla's popularity: black metal's biggest mystery.

Yeah, even M. himself is surprised at how far things have gone
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27.07.2016 - 13:58
!J.O.O.E.!
Account deleted
I feel like something must have happened at some point to warrant it. Even if they were really good I would still be surprised at their fame. If one of the members had murdered Erik Danielsson or something I could understand it all but they don't seem to be a newsworthy band as such.
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13.10.2016 - 00:14
Bekolata

Written by Guest on 27.07.2016 at 13:58

I feel like something must have happened at some point to warrant it. Even if they were really good I would still be surprised at their fame. If one of the members had murdered Erik Danielsson or something I could understand it all but they don't seem to be a newsworthy band as such.


I guess the main reason behind this hype is that so many people are sick of listening to shoegaze/ambient shit under the name of black metal. Mgla do not try spectacular/innovative things in their music, instead they just focus on "trve black metal ist krieg!!!" thing which is very rare in recent years. The same argument can also be said for Inquisition; their songs are direct and have little variation yet so catchy in a way.
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07.12.2016 - 10:14
Rating: 9
cobrapel
Concept One
Simply, people likes good music
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22.12.2016 - 21:35
Jaeryd
Nihil's Maw
Written by Guest on 27.07.2016 at 13:58

If one of the members had murdered Erik Danielsson...

One can only hope
(I actually don't know if he's all that bad of a guy, but from his interviews he seems like a self-important schlong-head, which is incredible seeing as how he's from a very average black metal band)
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10.03.2017 - 12:52
I don't listen BM but this is gold. I listen hard rock, nu metal, heavy, progressive but this cd is my one of the best ever. I did not know what was going on when I listened to this album. I was shocked that this is such a good. Azazing band. And that drums. Maciej "Darkside" Kowalski destroyed my brain. Good job!!!
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02.10.2017 - 09:01
BetulaObscura

Very good album!! I would say: one of the classical BM releases. It reminds me the best Norwegian BM style and mood like early Ulver, Darkthrone or Burzum. It is dark and raw and it contains lots of melodies at the same time. It is more complex than it seems for the first time. Impressive stuff!
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"Inspired by the future of the past"
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17.06.2018 - 21:33
Rating: 9
RaduP
CertifiedHipster
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Do you think if the heart keeps on shrinking
One day there will be no heart at all?
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19.07.2018 - 16:36
Rating: 8
musclassia

Exercises in Futility IV is pretty great. Overall it's a lot better than I remember it being, but it's still a bit surprising it exploded to the extent it did. I guess it's pretty accessible for BM and does things pretty much by the book
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02.04.2019 - 21:02
Rating: 8
X-Ray Rod
Skandino
Eh, it's fine.
Yes, it took me aeons to give this album a proper listening. It's nothing more than "good" black metal. By the numbers but very solid. Life they are pretty great though.
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Written by BloodTears on 19.08.2011 at 18:29
Like you could kiss my ass
Written by Milena on 20.06.2012 at 10:49
Rod, let me love you.
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29.04.2019 - 10:58
Rating: 9
Stormm

This album is massive! Yeah, there's nothing progressive. Mgla's music is following black metal standards, but this is not about those things, it's about overall atmosphere. And overall feel is almost horrific, but with magnetic power. With really great lyrics. Nihilistic essence without embellishment, nothing pandering what can make it all easier for a listener. For me Exercises In Futility V is best for sure. Ending is like slithering to a black hole of emptiness. And With Hearts Towards None VII best song from Mgla.
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18.06.2019 - 07:23
Rating: 10
Absinthe

I'm only surprised about this album having such a broad appeal that extends beyond black metal. Within black metal itself, this is one of the greatest albums of the last ten years or so. Its atmosphere, clearly, but also the melodicism too; it's quite a melodic album to listen to and experience.

What not many people bother to mention are the incredible lyrics. They're philosophical, unique and just bizarre enough to hold the attention in their own right. Combined with the music it's a knock-out blow.

One other thing that surprises me is that there are people out there who feel that it's mediocre... I couldn't think of anything less mediocre.
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28.08.2019 - 22:19
Rating: 9
Paz

Hell, if you know a better drummer, please give me a name!



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02.10.2019 - 15:28
milenkovic

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12.12.2019 - 16:49
Rating: 9
Boxcar Willy
yr a kook
This album RIPS. I don't know how you could call a track like IV "boring".

Awesome riffs, that are well layered with leads. FANTASTIC drumming, especially the cymbal work. Good production (I agree it could be a little more bass heavy). Very satisfying listen.
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14:22 - Marcel Hubregtse
I do your mum

DESTROY DRUM TRIGGERS
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12.12.2019 - 17:27
Maco
Pvt Funderground
Yes this band delivers some of the best standard black metal in the business right now.
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Crackhead Megadeth reigns supreme.
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12.12.2019 - 17:43
Mercurial

UADA exists, so Mgla might as well not.
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12.12.2019 - 18:07
Rating: 9
Boxcar Willy
yr a kook
Written by Mercurial on 12.12.2019 at 17:43

UADA exists, so Mgla might as well not.

I find it strange that you enjoy UADA with this much disdain for Mgla, they're very similar IMO. Mgla has better guitar tone/atmosphere IMO. Weird coincidence too as I am just about finished my first play through of "Cult Of A Dying Sun".
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14:22 - Marcel Hubregtse
I do your mum

DESTROY DRUM TRIGGERS
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12.12.2019 - 19:10
Rating: 9
RaduP
CertifiedHipster
Written by Mercurial on 12.12.2019 at 17:43

UADA exists, so Mgla might as well not.

I curse your entire bloodline
----
Do you think if the heart keeps on shrinking
One day there will be no heart at all?
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12.12.2019 - 22:26
nikarg

Written by Mercurial on 12.12.2019 at 17:43

UADA exists, so Mgla might as well not.

Uada wouldn't exist, had it not been for Mgla. Nothing wrong with Uada (apart from the fact that they are hipster wimps), but it's like saying that Barren Earth exists, so Opeth might as well not.
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13.12.2019 - 03:11
Marcel Hubregtse
Grumpy Old Fuck
Seen Uada a couple of times live, and my God are they boring and like Nikarg said "hipster wimps" Mgla is so much more riveting both live and on album.
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Member of the true crusade against European Flower Metal

Yesterday is dead and gone, tomorrow is out of sight
Dawn Crosby (r.i.p.)
05.04.1963 - 15.12.1996

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