MESSIER 16 – new single out
- Posted on 10-11-2023
Photo: Lodovica di Bernardo
MESSIER 16 releases new track Death Poem IV: Unknown’s Skywide Twin
In the last death poem, we hear about the heartbreaking story of Virginia Woolf, who in her suicide note depicts, with an intimate language, her decision to disappear in the ocean. As an escape from what was seemingly a suffering from bipolar disorder, the character Unknown describes their life as a prison in the eyes of others, and a cage in their thoughts. Who these others are remains unknown, and it is precisely in this uncertainty her darkness arises. Time stops to a halt in moments of madness, and as time starts again, hours disappear. This leads her to complete breakdowns. These contrasts are shown with extreme dynamic width in the music. The writer’s otherwise very imaginative prose changes to a humble love letter and a naked goodbye letter in the message left for her spouse – where she explains herself and shares her deep gratitude. With a love for the ocean, she then walks in with stones in her dress.
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Jonas Ulrik Eide kommenterer:
Elsewhere in Virginia Woolf’s writings, a colourful and deep language is used to put to words the most delicate subjects with such elegant means – in stark contrast to her suicide note. What a desperate loss, to be robbed of one’s craft. This is possibly the album’s most hard hitting track, with a distinct dramaturgy that illustrates her thought process, and at the end symbolises her drowning. There’s a certain peace to be found in portraying stories like this one; to write is to remain, to express oneself is to be there for others. I think Virginia Woolf’s also thought this way. By shedding light on stories like these, I hope Messier 16 can be an invitation to dialogues on dark thoughts.
The track is taken from the upcoming album, Death Poems, with a release on November 17th, 2023.
About the album:
Oslo-based group Messier 16 is now ready with their second album, a musical tetraptych of atmosphere, tristesse and aggression. Their work titled Death Poems tells the stories of 4 individuals, and their tragic journeys as described by their own suicide letters. Hollow. Patience. Barefoot. Unknown. Four pseudonyms.
The album is titled Death Poems and further develops their aggressive and melancholic blend in extreme metal. The tracks portray 4 individuals as a homage to their strengths, honesty, desperation and despair – in which the band found its inspiration.
The songs are written to fit the characters and storytelling of each individual, following the lyrics closely, with songs carrying everything from lush and empathic orchestral parts over beautiful chord progressions, to train-like rhythmical cacophony and chaos, and all the way to despondency and utter desperation in intense blast beats and dissonant riffs.
These portrayals are then in turn followed each by their respective Rest. A short illustrated reflection of their deaths, a moment’s contemplation over their own passing, a frame. The album has an almost linear increase in intensity and is meant to be heard in one sitting – as a tetraptych – four images on a wall.
ABOUT MESSIER 16
Messier 16 is an Oslo-based band in the realm of atmospheric and progressive black metal. The band was formed in 2017 by Jonas Ulrik Eide, and after years of writing, they released their debut album iota in 2021. Messier 16 is ready with their second album, Death Poems, with a release on November 17th, 2023.
Lineup:
Jonas Ulrik Eide – Guitars & Writing
Sondre M. Svalastog – Vocals
Laszlo Juhos – Drums
Aleksander Ilievski – Guitars
Nicoló Cavallaro – Bass