Omnimalevolence

Adopting the wash of discordant static and groove laden rhythms that typified the Blut Aus Nord take on industrial extreme metal, Skrying mirror drag this template into a more specialised, abrasive, and ultimately intense beast of almost unbearable noise. The mechanistic beats of early Godflesh are apparent at its very foundations, as is the alienating nihilism so unique to extreme music that seeks to ape the artificial. But here, all is blended into a solid statement of dissonant rage. Riffs of a metallic lineage are discernible, but they are buried in layers of combative static and funnelled into rhythms more notable for their sense of persistent groove than unpredictable meanders.

A less considered Desecresy would also be a good starting point to approach ‘Omnimalevolence’. Where the Finnish industrial death pioneers used repetitive rhythms as platforms on which to build soaring sequential refrains defined by their harmonic material, here the musical content is cut out for the sake of one, monotonous, persistent rallying cry of industrial noise. Whilst there is something compelling about the level of intensity Skrying Mirror are able to conjure here, the album functions as more of a statement of intent than a piece of art that looks built to last.

‘Omnimalevolence’ is an expertly crafted vibe space. An oppressive, insistent, relentless procession of machine driven noise. But unlike a lot of works that offer a glut of mood music leaving the mind underfed, the battle between these two impulses seems to be taking place within the music itself. Riffs and melodic content fight for airtime. Soaring chord progressions and mournful lines that look to hold a cadential character.

But over the course of this album they are violently pummelled into the background, suppressed into mulch for the sake of the relentless barrage of crash cymbal driven drum lines, distorted bass, and background waves of discordant noise. It makes for an interesting and undeniably intense experience, but one that I fear may lack endurance after repeated listens. The message delivered, it can reveal only scant nuanced content beneath the initial battle cry.

Originally published at Hate Meditations