Black Esoteric Evangelium

When you just want some of that Burzum-influenced old school depressive black metal without all the fussy fusion things that bands these days insist on hanging upon the genre - as if black metal needs any embellishment just to get heard! - just stop by bands like Finland's Noenum who serve up raw primitive BM minimalism on this EP. This is a very melancholy recording, filled with black despair and bleak ambience. So far this recording seems to be the only thing Noenum have done that approaches anything like a full-length album. This seems a bit strange as the music is very good and I guess that whatever held up the band in releasing a full-length or any other recording (apart from a split done in 200() must have been something non-musical.

The vocals are very Burzum-like, reminiscent of the Norwegian's early albums like "Aske" - set far in the background and very screechy and wailing. The guitars are solid, constantly grinding away with repeating riffs, some of which are melodic, but basically supporting the screaming voices. The temptation to toss out a lead solo must be very strong but the guitarist concentrates on laying down a whining chainsaw texture over which the vocalist shrieks in pain and anguish. This allows the cold, desolate atmosphere overhanging the music to penetrate deep into the listener's consciousness. The drums are very strong and sometimes the drummer throws out some unusual beats and rhythms and moves into thunderous territory.

While the songs can be lengthy and the guitar riffs don't vary a great deal, the percussion and vocals usually provide enough variety, energy and bleak emotion that the music is nowhere near as boring as might be expected with guitar riffs and melodies that emphasise extreme sorrow and repetition. "No More Tears in this Coffin" is the strongest track on this EP for the powerful, thrumming percussion, the guitars that labour under a deep depressive fug and desperate singing that has given up all hope and already has the noose prepared and the chair about to be kicked away. The final track is also good with more anger and a strong rock'n'roll flavour.

The outstanding aspect of this EP is the melding of the different instruments and voices into a well-meshed whole that perfectly captures the black depths of hopelessness and depression. Listeners may find themselves wishing that this EP had been expanded into a much longer work with more songs.