Lights Out

For several years now, I’m observing a recurrent phenomenon among newer Norwegian black metal bands. They seem to try to overcome a stylistic heritage shaped by their illustrious predecessors, adopting a more « modern » approach. This movement, sometimes called « post » or « avant-garde », draws its influences from the most varied musical environments. We can have tripped eccentricity with Vulture Industries, depressive rock with So Much For Nothing or fully assumed free jazz played by Shining. And it is in this fruitful vein that Posthum seeks regognition. Founded in 2004 in Nannestad, near Oslo, this trio offers us a new album called Lights Out which continues the work started with their first self-titled album.

Mesmerizing progressive black metal interpreted by the group is based on complex structures and environments where speed is never prioritized, unless some targeted moments (Down On Blood, especially). Through sequences and syncopated rhythms, sometimes resembling collages, songs articulate dark and melancholic atmospheres. It is a stifling and difficult world to assess for the layman, or just a more direct music lover.

In addition, similarities between music practiced by Enslaved and Posthum are so blatant that they are almost impossible to ignore. On several occasions, listener has the impression of hearing songs written by Ivar Bjørnson and Kjellson Grutle’s band, but without this particular epic touch given by Herbrand Larsen’s keyboards and clean vocals.

Lights Out is not a bad album, nor a simple pastiche. It deploys a lot of creativity and a willingness to go beyond traditional black metal, but it lacks finish, a specific key, unique, which could distinguish the band and give a flavor to its music, which is sorely lacking. The future will reveal whether Posthum succeed to do so.

Originally written for Métal Obscur.