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Xenward - Xenward review




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Reviewer:
8.5

13 users:
7.08
Band: Xenward
Album: Xenward
Release date: July 2018


01. Divided States
02. Of Nothing
03. Lodge Upon The Hill
04. Falling Monuments
05. Order Of Dust
06. The Carbon Star
07. The Unforgiving Sun/Solar Extraction
08. Turned By Valtiel

Black metal has always had a strong inclination towards ritualism and the creation of alien atmospheres with its distinct sense of ambiance. But damn, does Xenward know how to nail the aesthetic well.

Music wise, both within metal and beyond, every year is destined to have a few "ninja albums," ones that seemingly just appear out of nowhere, but nonetheless inspire considerable awe from their sheer level of quality. In the past for me these have been albums like Hail Spirit Noir's debut in 2012, Remmirath's 2015 sophomore album, and for 2018 thus far I'd likely give this self titled effort from Xenward the distinction. A peculiar little one manner from Austin, Texas, Xenward delivers ambient black metal of an incredibly trancelike and borderline psychedelic variety, at times even feeling a bit doom influenced as well. Aggression is not the name of the game here as much as transcendence, surrealism, and hypnotism are. One listen to the powerful "Divided State" opener easily cements the impression.

With many bands labeled "ambient black metal," one can often pick up very clearly where the line between the black metal and the more atmospheric elements of the music is drawn, but this is simply not the case with Xenward, and the fact that it isn't comes as a welcome and considerably fresh change up for the style. On this album the black metal and ambient sides of the formula often find themselves merging at such a level that at many points they're virtually indecipherable from each other. The magnificent "Lodge Upon The Hill" is perhaps the best example of this, featuring a riffing pattern lurking in the background that is undeniably characteristic of the black metal style, but that has been slowed down and repeated to the extent that it also serves to create a noticeably droney, dark ambient mood as well. This technique as well as others really reinforces the sophisticated genre fusion going on with this album and is nothing if not demonstrative of excellent songwriting abilities.

While one can at times pick up traces of other black metal bands that flirt with dark ambiance and psychedelic approaches on Xenward, particularly the work of Mories, Leviathan, and the BTC bands, it's still quite difficult to really compare the music here to any other band. The feeling that it's both similar to others out there as well as incredibly different is refreshing and brings a sense of admiration, for it shows Xenward's ability to learn from other bands without aping them entirely. Eerie, spine tingling, and without question one of the overlooked black metal gems from this year, Xenward is an album for those who need that itch for the ominous alien music scratched.

Enter the Voyager.


Rating breakdown
Performance: 8
Songwriting: 9
Originality: 8
Production: 9





Written on 09.09.2018 by Metal Storm’s own Babalao. Comforting the disturbed and disturbing the comfortable since 2013.


Comments

Comments: 7   Visited by: 125 users
09.09.2018 - 16:35
Karlabos
Meat and Potatos
Well if you are comparing its quality to HSN's debut or Remmirath's 2015... I guess I have to check it out then
----
"Aah! The cat turned into a cat!"
- Reimu Hakurei
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09.09.2018 - 17:02
RaduP
CertifiedHipster
Haven't managed to listen to it yet, but from what I heard, definite oddball release.
----
Do you think if the heart keeps on shrinking
One day there will be no heart at all?
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09.09.2018 - 18:25
Auntie Sahar
Drone Empress
Written by Karlabos on 09.09.2018 at 16:35

Well if you are comparing its quality to HSN's debut or Remmirath's 2015... I guess I have to check it out then

Not merely the quality but more so the fact that it kind of sprung on me seemingly out of nowhere and just overwhelms with its awesomeness, much like those albums did
----
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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09.09.2018 - 19:18
Auntie Sahar
Drone Empress
Written by RaduP on 09.09.2018 at 17:02

Haven't managed to listen to it yet, but from what I heard, definite oddball release.

This year's had a good number of those for black metal, thankfully, and we still have the new Meads album and the Skaphe/Wormlust collab looming as well. Giggity
----
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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10.09.2018 - 06:14
Rating: 9
Lord Slothrop

Your recommendations rarely disappoint, so thanks for that. Plus at only 4 bucks on Bandcamp, this was a no-brianer. Atmospheric black metal is my main jam and I'm loving this album. I just can't believe they're from Texas; but then again, that's where King Diamond lives so what do I know?
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11.09.2018 - 16:40
Alakazam
spendin' cheese
Heard it twice and need to make it thrice, some captivating stuff that kept me interested throughout and hearing it again engaged me more.
----
I may not have the largest collection but I certainly have the absolute best

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11.09.2018 - 18:46
Auntie Sahar
Drone Empress
Written by Alakazam on 11.09.2018 at 16:40

Heard it twice and need to make it thrice, some captivating stuff that kept me interested throughout and hearing it again engaged me more.

It's an album that rewards replays, for sure
----
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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