A THOUSAND SUFFERINGS – Stilte
- Posted on 22-10-2021
Immortal Frost Productions rarely disappoint when they unleash an underground black metal opus upon the unsuspecting masses and "Stilte" is no exception to that rule. The Belgian purveyors of darkness and despair known as A Thousand Sufferings conjure up bleak, atmospheric soundscapes that are rich in texture and depth. Clocking in at roughly 42 minutes, these five lengthy compositions never outstay their welcome and seamlessly weave forlorn melodies, crushing doom metal riffs, and punishing black metal passages together to great effect. Things are both harsh and huge-sounding and "Stilte" is a morose piece of work where everything unfolds in an organic manner and the emotive aura of the whole gloomy affair is prominent at all times.
Although there is an element of something cold and cynical coursing through the tracks, the production veers towards something more warm-sounding and dynamic. I especially dig the fact that the bass is so upfront in the mix and that the vocals are not your standard black metal fare either but instead deliver a genuinely passionate performance that complement the varied nature of the songs beautifully.
"Stilte" is a really solid and well-crafted metal record that suits the vibe of this time of year splendidly, and it certainly does not hurt that the album layout and artwork are impressive too. Should you for whatever lame reason need to investigate this LP before purchasing it, make sure you check the hypnotic title track out as that ought to convince you of its qualities.