Wanderings

For all the digs at American black metal that I shoehorn into my reviews wherever I can, there is a small yet significant clutch of disparate artists who are more than worth their salt in the land of the free. One much underrated example is the one man ambient black metal project known as I Shalt Become. Put ‘American’, ‘one man’, ‘ambient’, ‘black metal’ together and one could not be blamed for losing interest, especially considering the appalling grammar in the name of this project. But I Shalt Become is an exception that proves a rule in my book.

His debut ‘Wanderings’ released all the way back in 1998 pretends to be America’s answer to Burzum, cover-art and all; and it comes fairly close to succeeding all things considered. This is really slow, lo-fi black metal that pretty much does what it says on the tin. It offers lonely, grey, oppressive riffs, offset by barely present distorted vocals, tinny drums, and some pretty off the wall lyrics. The guitars are actually massive, which was the right choice given that they dominate the sound with slow but creative riffs, deliberately crafted to be played below the 80bpm mark.

Whether it’s simple arpeggios, lumbering chord progressions, or just out and out droning, S. Holliman’s mastery of this tool to get the exact sound required for this stripe of black metal is a pleasure to listen to. ‘Wanderings’ is a good example of putting everything at the service of mood and atmosphere. Don’t get me wrong, there are some creative riffs worked in here, but at times they get repetitive, even for minimalist black metal. At this point the overbearing guitar tone can become a detriment, as it simply refuses to allow the repetition to wash over you, commanding as it is of one’s attention.

The album ends with a selection of covers from of Judas Iscariot and Burzum, a heavy nod to the already obvious influences. Holliman’s may not be in the same league as these artists when it comes to the nuts and bolts of riffcraft, but he knows when he’s on to a good idea. And he certainly knows how to use the tools of the trade to get as much out of each riff as possible in the service of this bleak, meditative music.

‘Wanderings’ I have a personal soft spot for, it being one of the first pieces of none-Norwegian black metal I got my hands on and really got lost in. But there are considerable flaws on the canvas despite its charms.

Originally published at Hate Meditations