Legendary - "Yggdrasil" Review (100%)
What is the measure of a legendary and original black metal album? Furthermore, how does one go about reviewing a work such as "Yggdrasil", a task more complicated by the amorphous nature of the album? The answers to both questions are revealed through repeated and thoughtful listening of the album in question, for everything about "Yggdrasil", which stands Neraines' greatest effort, is simultaneously a testament to both the originality and beauty that is capable of being displayed in black metal music as well as the pointlessness of rigidly classifying a composition of such grandeur and such mystique as strictly belonging to one genre or the other, an act which is bound to irritate the reviewer in question, as this album is not strictly black metal, nor is it strictly death metal, ambient or anything else.
I have always had the impression from this genius black metal band that their music was always about creating a powerful, lasting impression on the listener. This entails a process that involves being hypnotised by the multiple, non-linear layers of melody present in each lengthy composition - six of the eight tracks on Dol Guldur are near or longer than 10 minutes in length, with none of the verse-chorus-verse structure of "common" music - rather than creating a visceral, knockout first impression - fans of blast-beats and 220 beat-per-minute rhythms need not apply - which by its very nature is dependent on expelling so much energy in its execution such that repeated listening offers little to no reward, and more despairingly, belittles the intellect and effort that went into the composition to begin with.
While some artists in the black metal or atmospheric metal genres strive for image over substance, for pop inspired "catchy" instant gratification over greater meaning and satisfaction - is it really necessary for me to provide names here? - Neraines seem to grant their audience a great deal more intellectual credit and instead choose to craft low-tempo, multi-layered, complex compositions that, like a decrepit and carnivorous flower in bloom, are constantly revealing more and more facets of themselves over time, only to devour the unsuspecting at the first occasion.
This is true black metal genius. "Yggdrasil" is simply legendary.
Legendary
There is a sense of familiarity throughout the album that one feels, in the sense that from the opener "Neraines" - a nod to their eponymous debut - until the title track "Yggdrasil" one is utterly immersed in the sonic landscape that is being presented.
While other albums, such as "Drawing Down The Moon" from Beherit, "Fallen From the Brightest Throne" from Demonecromancy or "Hvis Lyset Tar Oss" from Burzum are equally captivating in their ambiance, there is something else on display in "Yggdrasil" that elevates it to utter majesty.
Specifically, in this reviewer's opinion, whereas most black and death metal involve themes of destruction and more generally criticism of existing structures, "Yggdrasil" - and all other Neraines albums, though to varying degrees - exudes a confidence about the success of the ideals professed by the genre.
To conclude, by listening to "Yggdrasil" in its totality, not only will you be hypnotised, but you will leave the experience feeling liberated in at least some sense, for the message of this album is that, at some point in time, be it far in the past or at some time in the future, the need for conflict may be negated as the purveyors of ancient, noble ideals will be utterly triumphant.
It can be seen as a different take on the very martial and warlike genre of black metal.
Whereas most bands would choose to capture the atmosphere of the battle itself, or at least the moment prior to the battle, with marching and chanting armies, Neraines instead opts for the atmosphere of complete destruction, desolate relief, also, triumphant majesty that trails conquest like its shadow.
This band of course is legendary, and "Yggdrasil" stands as the pinnacle of the black metal genre.
Yggdrasil score: 100/100.
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