Cremation Is Irreversible

Cremation is Irreversible's packaging alone hints at Ash Pool's status as one of contemporary black metal's most fascinating bands. A xeroxed paper insert, it contains the image of an infant's cremation pan, a diagram of the universe's expansion over time and the tape's lyrics, a dispassionate recounting of the process and nature of cremation. Not to mention the cryptic cover art, with it's ring (a representation of infinity?) and the snakes which, combined with the ring, brings to mind the ouroborus circle. The music confirms the packaging's suggestion: the opening chanting is surprising, haunting and strangely beautiful. Within seconds raw black metal bursts through it as the chanting nears its ending, providing a juxtaposition of beauty and ugliness that has always been one of Ash Pool's song-writing strengths. Ash Pool's debut album, World Turns On Its Hinge, perfectly displayed these strengths. Since then Ash Pool's music, while good, was missing the same fury, beauty and passion of World Turns. Sophomore album For Which He Plies the Lash, with its cleaner production, missed the same fury and beauty of World Turns, and the EP Together They Serve to Define the Process' return to rawness was a step towards that same emotion, but slightly missed the mark. Cremation is Irreversible is finally the worthy follow up to World Turns On Its Hinges' glory, and it's two parts are raw, vicious, beautiful and fantastic.

As said, part 1 opens with chanting before blasting forward into incredibly raw black metal. It quickly falls into a punk infused, mid-tempo groove with a series of infectiously catchy riffs before ending in clean guitar. This guitar work goes on to begin part 2, before giving way to the same furious riff as the beginning of part 1, which shifts into something different before becoming a new riff entirely. This side refuses to break down in tempo and remains high speed for most of the song. It's reminiscent of the vicious "Crucifixion Fantasy" from World Turns On Its Hinge. Another groovy mid-tempo riff appears, providing a welcome respite, before breaking into the same chanting as part 1. This gives the tape a cyclical nature, with the songs perfectly blending, further solidified by the repeat use of an opening riff. It fits the sense of infinity of the circle on the cover, and the two heads of the conjoined snakes, as well as time's representation in the diagram of the universe's expansion. It's further complicated by the lyrics and concept; if cremation is a destruction that is irreversable, why does the music turn in an endless circle? Is it because part 1 starts the tape off, but is then locked in the eternal recursion presented by part 2? It makes for a release that is musically, conceptually and intellectually brilliant.

Cremation Is Irreversible is an excellent release that displays Ash Pool's true glory. It harkens back to the fantastic World Turns On Its Hinge and shows that in 2012 Ash Pool is still a brilliant and relevant force in black metal. Any future releases will be met with eagerness and rightfully high expectations.