KÉNÔSE

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Kénôse is an EP release by French experimental black metal act Deathspell Omega. The total playing time is 36:19 minutes distributed over 3 long tracks called I, II and III. While the band´s early releases don´t interest me much with their old school black metal aesthetics, my interest in Deathspell Omega was really ignited with the release of the Si Monumentum Requires, Circumspice album from 2004. That album show an adventurous and experimental approach to black metal that I really appreciate.

The music on Kénôse futher expand upon the experimental approach to songwriting and playing that was initiated on Si Monumentum Requires, Circumspice. While the atmosphere on the EP still reeks of old school black metal aesthetics, the music that Deathspell Omega have composed for this EP goes far beyond what you usually associate with that style. While the band would probably cringe if they read this, I´ll risk my neck and call the music on Kénôse progressive in the true sense of the word. Deathspell Omega twist the conventions and bring in elements from other genres to create a very unique and experimental form of black metal. While there are loads of fierce blasting parts and raspy vocals in the songs, there are as many unconventional elements in the music such as twisted and adventurous guitar riffs, tempo and what sounds like time signature changes too, industrial elements and some atmospheric dreamy sections. The EP even starts with what I would characterize as a couple of minutes of post metal. It almost sounds like Deathspell Omega invited Neurosis into the studio to compose and play the first couple of minutes. It works wonders IMO. The air is thick with harsh and dark atmosphere and with the twists and turns in the songs I´m kept on my toes at all times. Just the way I like my music. The three songs are very long ranging from 9 to almost 16 minutes which means that the songs are allowed to develop and change direction several times. There´s not a second on this EP that´s not entertaining.

The production needs a special mention here as it really works well and gives the music even more character. While everything is perfect in the mix and there´s absolutely nothing lo-fi about the sound, it´s still organic and creates the right atmosphere for the songs. It´s not one of those modern digital productions with triggered drums which by the way would probably have ruined music like this.

Kénôse is not an easy listening EP and I know it took me many listens to fully grasp the band´s vision with the music. But if you enjoy demanding ( progressive) music that doesn´t sacrifice power and dark atmosphere for technical playing or awkward shifts in musical style and direction, Kénôse could be your poison. Don´t get me wrong here though, because the playing on Kénôse certainly is technical and there are shift in musical direction on the EP too as mentioned earlier, but it works so well and natural and never feels forced that it´s possible that you won´t even notice. An achivement like this deserves at least a 4.5 star rating from me. I have the deepest respect for artists who are able to make experiments like this and make it work.

This EP (if you want to call an album that's almost 37 minutes long an EP) is quite an interesting release as far as tech/extreme genre goes. Structure-wise, these three pieces tend to follow no rules but their own, although they are linked by their similar usage of dissonant chord progressions which enhances an unnerving quality to a style of music already rife with a dark and oppresive aura.

The production is perfect for this kind of music; angry and up-front guitar tone, strong low end, and an organic drum sound (as opposed to a sterile & triggered quality) blend together to create a frenzied dynamic while each instrument remains audible on its own. The vocals are mixed in perfectly to add to the chaotic feeling and add to the ferocity with a mid-ranged hateful delivery.

The first track begins with a long slow passage of quiet but unsettling music that sets a tense mood, and what surprised me right away was the strong heavy bass, definately not something I would hear in their early material. This section eventually leads to what sounds like an immense choir of the damned. Then, the effect of kicking a hornets' nest erupts as the first of numerous bizarre chord proggresions that actually do sound like a swarm of bees attacks the senses. It's frenetic and powerful, yet skillfully controlled and even memorable. These fast passages are interlinked with slower and quite progressive moments with interesting guitar harmonies that sort of wander between consonance and dissonance over unorthadox tempos. The song ends as it begins, and slowly fades out with that tribal and ritualistic vibe.

The next track has some chord progressions that, as ugly as they sometimes sound, are actually pretty catchy and linger in my head afterwards. There's some great dynamics going on here between slow and fast moments, which are often jarring but well composed. It should be noted that there are no guitar solos to be found here, but they are hardly missed as the constant melodies and chord patterns offer little room for that sort of thing and there can be little doubt that the guitar playing as quite stellar and creative as well.

The last song at first gives the impression that it's going to be more of a standard black metal-ish track, but after a couple of minutes that perception gets tossed away as an ominous ambient section arrives to add some real creepiness to the album's aura. This is followed by a slow doomy passage with duel vocalwork that's truly unsettling before launching into an almost groove moment. It's quite a strange and inventive track that toys with typical expectations of black metal.

In fact, I barely consider Kenose black metal at all in a musical sense, as there are a lot of deviations from what usually constitutes the genre, particularly concerning the techically skilled and difficult rhythms and progressions throughout these songs. It is most certainly progressive though, and quite unique in overall sound, while remaining surprisingly fresh and imaginative for the entire duration.

Kenose remains my favorite by this band, as I feel the album length is perfect for this sort of music, and while their later era full length offerings possess similar attributes, for some reason after listening to them for a bit I want to stop and put on one of these three numbers instead...a matter of familiarity perhaps, but I find these songs stand well on their own and don't completely blend into eachother to eventually become redundant like a lot of other extreme metal albums. As far as this genre is concerned, I consider this absolutely essential.

'Kénôse EP' - Deathspell Omega (8/10)

Like almost all of my favourite bands, the enigmatic French black metallers Deathspell Omega have witnessed a great change in their sound from the early days. Arguably beginning in earnest with their third record 'Si Monumentum Requires, Circumspice', Deathspell Omega set themselves very far apart from the typical black metal act through an avant-garde and distinctly progressive direction. Considered by the band to be an 'appendix' to that album, Deathspell's 'Kénôse' EP stands its own ground as yet another fantastic addition to this band's discography. Although it may certainly scare away most of black metal's puritanical elements, 'Kénôse' is a considerable chunk of thinking man's metal that exemplifies Deathspell Omega's inhuman grasp of controlled madness.

The most memorable aspect of this EP takes place at the very beginning, which may very well be considered 'satanic classical music'. A slow build-up uses a recurring theme, which eerie far eastern percussion in the background to create an ominous feeling long before the black metal instrumentation comes in. The build-up is done in such a way where it leads the listener to become very tense, wondering just when the band will break out into the inevitable metal slaughter. Then, using a dissonant and pleasantly horrific classical choral section as a segue, things erupt into a half hour surge of blast beats, oddly timed grooves, malefic snarls and highly unconventional composition.

One thing about Deathspell Omega is that much of their heavier music may be construed as noise to some, and this is no different with 'Kénôse'. The riffs are often so technical and fast, most black metal listeners will not be accustomed to such high intensity musicianship. However, the band remains uncompromising, letting their frightening and demonic sound mellow out only for some dissonant and chromatic pluckings here and there to create dynamic. It's actually in the less heavy sections here that Deathspell shines the best. Although they are masters of technical black metal and have a very unique sound, it often feels like there is too much being thrown at the listener at once, making it very difficult to make out any particular riff or musical idea without concentrating very steadily. Still, the extended five minute introduction to the world of 'Kénôse' is among the most powerful I have ever heard, and rivals any classical music I can think of in terms of its class and razor sharp intention.

A very challenging listen, but this EP is greatly rewarding to those that manage to hear through the seemingly muffled noise and into the wealth of grooves and bone-chilling atmosphere that Deathspell Omega enjoys here. Not recommended for the faint of heart.