Martriden, The Unsettling Dark
After our last review from an American black metal crew, we might as well include another — this time from a little further north. Hailing from the frigid state of Montana, Martriden tear through ten songs filled with bruising dual guitars, melodic keyboards, vicious vocals and pummeling blasts from the rhythm section. I think a key ingredient to quality black metal has to be desolate, cold landscapes and a vast majority of Montana certainly keeps up it’s end of the deal.
For a debut album, The Unsettling Dark showcases solid song structures and arrangements normally only seen in weathered veterans. It’s hard to find fault in this release. From the superb, rich production to the sheer talent of the groups individual members, this one is as strong as a debut that you’ll find this year (and it’s only April). There’s a great deal for any metal fan to enjoy — galloping, chugging riffs, soaring leads, acoustic elements, ferocious vocals and richter leveling blasts.
Intro
There’s a dark, militant feel to this 40 second intro that sets the mood nicely before the band open up with “The Enigma of Fate.”
The Enigma of Fate
“The Enigma of Fate” starts off with chugging riffs, manic drumming and vicious, raw vocals. Between the tortured screams, pummeling double bass and the violent riffs, this track has more then enough to offer. The keyboards are incorporated well and don’t dominate any portion of the song. I love the pseudo breakdown at the 2:20 mark. The track fades out slowly.
The Calling
The addition of chugging guitar really make for an interesting feel as you don’t normally get this sort of stuff in your standard black metal. It definitely works in the band’s favor. There is also an aged sound to each track so far that gives it a more “experienced” feel. There’s also a nice underlying groove to this one. Don’t forget to check out the lead just after the two minute mark.
Ascension Part 1
An impressive and violent start to “Part I” gets the blood flowing with chugging riffs, bludgeoning drums and aggressive as hell vocal attack. Once the band settles down, there’s a nice groove through this one, as another incredible lead courtesy of the legendary James Murphy at the 1:20 mark scorches the heavens with hell fire. Martriden do a tremendous job of mixing hardcore, moshy riffs into their black metal base.
Ascension Part 2
“Part II” starts off much softer than the first half of the series, with string orchestration and light drum work for the first half a minute before a melancholy lead comes in. This one is definitely the more theatrical half as well, ending as a powerful and swelling instrumental.
Processional for the Hellfire Chariot
Big drums and riffing get this beast of a track started properly with an impressive head banging cadence. There’s a bunch of stuff going on in this track from slick grooves to pummeling drums to soaring keyboard elements. It’s really a culmination of the band’s talents and influences.
The Unsettling Dark
The title track begins with ambient soundscapes and light guitar work before a dramatic riff and thick drumming come in at just before the one minute mark. The soothing melodies are quickly swallowed by crushing drums, ferocious vocals and flesh searing riffs. The richter measuring blasts from the drums just before the midway point are pretty devastating. I love the breakdown at the 4:40 mark. It helps break up the unrelenting pace some.
Prelude
“Prelude” is an interesting track. I mixes memorable riffing with keyboard orchestrations all the while maintaining an aggressive edge. The keyboards persist through the song, but never dominate — only offering up their services to help emphasize a riff or back up thundering drums. There are some very dramatic elements to this track complete with huge drum blasts, atmospheric sounds, piano and melancholic guitar work.
A Season in Hell
Militant drum work starts this one off as we’re marched deeper into the bowels of eternal darkness and hellfire. I hope you brought your sunblock along cause this one will certainly leave you burnt to a crisp with memorable riffing, impressive drum work and demonic vocals. The 3 minute mark sees the band shut it down for some acoustic guitar work and atmospheric strings.
Immaculate Perception
The final track of The Unsettling Dark continues acoustically where “A Season in Hell” left off. The instrumental is a fine way to end a tumultuous black metal ride.
~ ~ ~
I’m thoroughly impressed with this album. Martriden employs all the tricks of the trade and their influences to deliver an album chock full of black metal mastery while still retaining their own personality in the music. The mixture of ferocity and dramatic elements really makes for a great listening experience.
Favorite Tracks:
Just about all of them.
Additional Notes:
N/A