Ixione
There are very few things on this planet that go together as well as Black Metal and Germany. As much as this may reflect my personal bias, I have yet to find a German Black Metal band that isn’t good—Morbus Dei is no exception. Its latest effort, The World We Left Behind, undoubtedly succeeds in delivering a freezing cold, razor-sharp sound that feels like a misanthrope’s greatest fantasy. At first glance, it may not seem like anything overly ambitious, but that is precisely where its strength lies.
From start to finish, The World We Left Behind is nothing short of a sensory assault, with short, pummeling songs that carry a strong sense of claustrophobia and unease even in their slower moments. Imagine the foreboding atmosphere of a sinister World War II film, and you’ll have an idea of the sensation this album evokes—it even draws inspiration from such themes. The record delves into topics like war, hatred, misanthropy, and other unforgiving human endeavors.
Musically, the album is punishing from beginning to end. The riffs rely heavily on dissonance to amplify the ever-present sense of impending doom, perfectly paired with a misanthropic mood that’s apparent even from a glance at the album cover. While this approach might seem familiar, it becomes more intriguing when compared to how similar bands handle songwriting. For instance, bands like Endstille or Marduk often prioritize aggression, with atmosphere serving as a byproduct. On The World We Left Behind, however, atmosphere takes center stage, enhancing the violence by weaving despair into the mix.
Everything about this record feels meticulously calculated. The drumming, in particular, is executed with such precision that it almost comes across as military-like. This applies to the bass and guitar work as well, though the guitars seem to take slightly more creative liberties. Even so, those moments of freedom feel deliberately crafted. Meanwhile, the vocals fade in and out of focus, serving as the most “chaotic” element of the music, which only heightens the sense of unease.
A minor but noticeable drawback is the lack of a clear throughline that ties the album together. Rather than feeling like a cohesive whole, the record comes across as a collection of fragmented stories, which can make the pacing feel somewhat erratic. Another issue is that many of the songs are quite short and could benefit from longer runtimes to allow for more developed and complex musical ideas. As it stands, some tracks feel incomplete, often beginning abruptly and ending just as quickly without much introduction or resolution. While this contributes to the album’s vicious, unrelenting sound, it comes at the expense of the atmosphere described earlier.
Overall, Morbus Dei have succeeded in delivering a sinister and captivating album that will undoubtedly leave you feeling claustrophobic. Despite its flaws, The World We Left Behind achieves its goal of creating a hellish, hopeless landscape of human terror.
We couldn’t find a single, but it should be out tomorrow here
Label: Ketzer Records
Release date: 21 December 2024
Website: https://morbus-dei.de/?ref=promos.againstpr.com
Country: Germany
Score: Oh Wow! 4.5/5.0
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