Hi there! Today, we’ve got in our hands an album that can only be described as strange. I’m talking about Mynskh’s Chapter II – The Last Messiah. It’s supposed to be a Black/Death Metal journey, but honestly, it feels more like a Prog and Post adventure that pulls elements from a ton of other influences. You’ve probably noticed that I’m throwing a lot of sub-genre terms into the mix, so you might be wondering what the heck I’m talking about, because it’s making things less clear. Well, that’s kind of what we’re getting into here—an uncertain adventure, most likely with a tragic end. Let’s dance!
Imagine a Prog album where all the transitions are marked by abrupt silences instead of something more intricate. That’s a bit of what we have in Chapter II: tracks made up of mini-tracks, where unrelated ideas somehow work together to evoke drama and anxiety. Most tracks have extended intros, where a dense and malignant atmosphere sets in deeply. It makes you uncomfortable, leaving you begging for the usual blasting riffs to hit already. Chapter II takes its time to cook you alive in its weirdness. I’ll say it—this isn’t your typical Black/Death mix; it’s much more elaborate and quirky. Also, am I crazy, or is that guitar tone eerily similar to some of Persefone‘s?
I’ve never listened to an album or even a band with such a strong Ihsahn influence, to the point where I thought he was the one shrieking at times. Kudos to the vocalist for pulling off his best rendition of the idol himself. However, don’t expect Emperor here—well, maybe Prometheus Emperor—so a bit more sinister than satanic. As for the “singing”, there’s all sorts of vocal experimentation here. Of course, the other instruments are doing interesting things, but in a genre where vocalists tend to take a more discreet role, it was fun to hear so many wacky vocal ideas. Don’t worry, though—everyone is killing it when it comes to the actual execution. Yet, there are other things we need to mention…
Perhaps my only real quarrel with Chapter II, since on paper it has everything I want, is some of the songwriting decisions. Remember when I mentioned mini-tracks? Well, that’s very 90s Opeth, and some of those transitions can feel awkward and confusing. At times, I was enjoying the mayhem, only to have it stop out of nowhere, making me think, “Okay, on to the next track,” only to find out there were five minutes left of something considerably different. It’s like when you’re alone at the office, headbanging, and that annoying coworker shows up to say hi and small talk about stuff you don’t care about—it totally ruins the mood! Okay, maybe it’s not so extreme here, but you get the picture (I hate that guy!).
Even though I’m a bit reticent, I’m all for weird and creative bands. Mynskh is one of those that, despite some hiccups and untapped potential, comes to us with a proposal that breaks the mold a bit. Yes, it has a lot of Ihsahn and old Opeth, but in a way that complements its sound more than copying anything. I’ll keep an eye on this band for the future; maybe they could be the new Dvne! Which reminds me—I should get off my high horse and check that one out once and for all!
Label: Self-released (get them a label now!)
Release date: 13 September, 2024
Website: https://www.facebook.com/mynskh
Country: Austria
Score: Uneasy feelings that you can’t hide, or 3.5/5.0!
Metal Eclipse Reviews 