Embers – “Shadows” – [ICONOCLAST]

2012 repress of Oakland crust/black metal collective’s 2011 debut album. Mostly melodic and progressive USBM with a Weakling, Ludicra, Like Flies On Flesh feel. Male/female vocals, hers in a black metal style, his more death metal. Minimalistic lyrics sheets criticize industrial society and Christianity and dwell on loss and death as well as themes of rebirth as imagined in the archetypical dying-god narrative also explored by important influence Burzum a few years ago on his hey-ladies comeback record, Belus. Ironically Embers couldn’t be further from V.V. politically: several members are actively involved in radical-left causes so the pristine fixation on nebulous cultural decay seen in their Scandinavian BM influences (which also seem to include Emperor, Marduk, Dissection) becomes tinged with the very real contemporary threat of social and environmental ruin, not just in America but everywhere else (and probably first). On ‘Shadows’ keyboards have supplanted the mournful viola of Nine Katechis (who died tragically in late-2011, and to whom this album is dedicated) as the ‘symphonic’ element. If the slightly cheesy gothic keyboard work on a few of the tracks bothers you, I’d encourage you to listen to Amebix’ early crust classic ‘Monolith,’ an album that shares many of ‘Shadows” apocalyptic themes along with its love of cinematic keyboard bits. Though ‘Shadows’ is much more of a black metal record than Embers’ rougher, punkier previous releases there are still hints of Tragedy and early Warcollapse, plus most drumming here remains a nervous Dystopia flailing rather than grim Darkthrone pulse. This is a good album and you should listen to it.