Bethlehem's self-described "dark metal" fits most uncomfortably between the cold Norse black metal stylings of a Ved Buens Ende or a Dodheimsgard...and some of the outsider Italian Spookprog doom of a Paul Chain or even the darkwave inspired band Monumentum, and well...I'll stop making comparisons because Bethlehem (at least on their first few albums) were forging their own sound, a totally unique entity that focused not on evil but on pain...musick as thee outlet for pain that was otherwise unresolveable, and that might never be resolved. Complete mental darkness.
S.U.i.Z.i.D (and it's predecessors) did much to influence the depressive black metal genre, first with their disturbed imagery and secondly with their unwholesome avant-garde vibes..the razor sharp, tortured vocals..the desolate uncompromising ring of solemn notes..the cascading gothic melodies..all creating a sound that is simply mesmerizing and uncompromisingly grim. You may feel like killing yourself after listening to this, but then you would just be depriving yourself of the sheer pleasure of listening to it again and again and again and...
great album, thank you!
ReplyDeleteThis is easily the most erudite assessment of Bethlehem's music that I've ever read. These guys don't get half of the attention that they deserve.
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