8) Verberis - The Apophatic Wilderness
Hey, you all know Ulcerate came out with an album this year, it's in here, surprise spoiled. But, did you know Ulcerate's drummer Jamie Saint Merat is in another band that also had a release this year?! You would know if you read my list from years past because this isn't their first appearance.
Verberis plays progressive black metal strongly influenced by Deathspell Omega. Deathspell Omega has historically been accused of using a drum machine, but denied this in an obscure interview no one's ever read. Listening to Deathspell you'd understand where the speculation comes from, the drumming on on their albums seems superhuman. I would bet there's some production magic happening on those early albums, but I would fall short of accusation of it being faked with technology.
This being said, any band that chooses to take influence from Deathspell Omega is taking on a very specific burden. The percussion needs to feel like it's produced by an unhinged savant. In saying that you might be worried JSM might steal the show, but just like in Deathspell, the percussion is simply there to provide momentum to the compositions of existential hell. When he needs to be, JSM is a modest drummer, articulate, exacting, but ultimately in service to the music.
This is a "sit down and take it in" kind of album. It requires patience and attention. Given that, it's particularly interesting that it contains my favorite guitar solo of the year. It's at the 6 minute mark of the final track. Enjoy.
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