Absurd - Facta Loquuntur
How can something so great be described without ruining its originality by muddying up it's waters? And in Absurd's case: How can something so simple be so effective?
"Facta Loquuntur" is an album, that upon first glance, feels like most hybrid Punk Black Metal bands of both the 90's and of today. But it is so much more than that. It is much more than "punky/RAC BM" with predictably minimal structures that turn into a 40 minute hypnosis session. There is a very virile and challenging feeling through-out this entire album that doesn't lend itself to the more abstract, diverse and experimental side of the Black Metal genre which some individuals might pigeonhole this album into. (Well that and the bands "extra-musical" exploits.) No blast-beats or anything that would be considered "fast" in the Black Metal underworld. There are clean vocals celebrating nationalism, which are always perfectly suited to their appropriate stations and (thank Satan or Wotan, whatever) there isn't any over amplified attempts at being cold or sinister.
This is great Black Metal reliant on simplistic and militaristic marching drum beats, raw production, two or three riffs per song and of course great lyrics that aren't super sophisticated, but neither were most of their contemporaries. These should never be seen as flaws. This is real music; there is nothing standing between the listener and the clear intentions of the band, as it should be. There are no middlemen/producers shitting out their own interpretation of the music and stinking up the album. No embarrassed label asking for things to be pacified. The timing was right.
I have heard the argument before so here is my answer: "Facta Loquuntur" isn't the inexperience of youth, it is the exuberance of youth. That is what created this marvelous monument of Black Metal history. I don't ever want to be that middleman so that is how I "describe something so great". Leave them at it. But it is a sad truth that Absurd only continues on in name. I feel that a small select group of bands can come very, very close to meeting the standards set by this album, Akitsa comes to mind immediately. But I honestly feel that no one will ever top this. Not here.
How can something so great be described without ruining its originality by muddying up it's waters? And in Absurd's case: How can something so simple be so effective?
"Facta Loquuntur" is an album, that upon first glance, feels like most hybrid Punk Black Metal bands of both the 90's and of today. But it is so much more than that. It is much more than "punky/RAC BM" with predictably minimal structures that turn into a 40 minute hypnosis session. There is a very virile and challenging feeling through-out this entire album that doesn't lend itself to the more abstract, diverse and experimental side of the Black Metal genre which some individuals might pigeonhole this album into. (Well that and the bands "extra-musical" exploits.) No blast-beats or anything that would be considered "fast" in the Black Metal underworld. There are clean vocals celebrating nationalism, which are always perfectly suited to their appropriate stations and (thank Satan or Wotan, whatever) there isn't any over amplified attempts at being cold or sinister.
This is great Black Metal reliant on simplistic and militaristic marching drum beats, raw production, two or three riffs per song and of course great lyrics that aren't super sophisticated, but neither were most of their contemporaries. These should never be seen as flaws. This is real music; there is nothing standing between the listener and the clear intentions of the band, as it should be. There are no middlemen/producers shitting out their own interpretation of the music and stinking up the album. No embarrassed label asking for things to be pacified. The timing was right.
I have heard the argument before so here is my answer: "Facta Loquuntur" isn't the inexperience of youth, it is the exuberance of youth. That is what created this marvelous monument of Black Metal history. I don't ever want to be that middleman so that is how I "describe something so great". Leave them at it. But it is a sad truth that Absurd only continues on in name. I feel that a small select group of bands can come very, very close to meeting the standards set by this album, Akitsa comes to mind immediately. But I honestly feel that no one will ever top this. Not here.
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