Morphine-Visibility album. FFO: Grim, but dynamically creative Black Metal.

 

Morphine-Visibility album. FFO: Grim, but dynamically creative Black Metal.

This is the sixth glorious release from Morphine; a solid depressive black metal force that focuses on transgender/identity issues as well as pain and addiction and other personal content. Very clearly this is their best work, it's still raw yet produced well, but remains brutal and assaulting in all aspects. In opener Validation, you can feel the vocals being rawer, more aggressive than previously and clearly this is so far removed from the broad dullness of most modern black metal bands. This like most tracks is punctuated by gripping riffs and real tonal attractiveness. Internalise/Repress has these amazing pounding drums that are as sonic as an earthquake. The spoken word intro sets a rousing mood and there are also tons of brooding chaos in this gem also. Track 3 is the thunderous Externalise/Express(great titles indeed!) that has a precise and coarser approach that also utilises the spoken word technique to tremendous effect. This seemed to cut deep into the broader sound and balance out the aggression, also this has a totally epic ending. In Passing has a strong and impressive tempo and a lovely range of changes/ quirky transitions in this marvellous track. The vocals were so grim and damn effective; like a persuasive force. I'll Make You See continues this theme of dominant and suffocating vocals and classic treble driven guitar work. This was the only track I felt lost some momentum or stream compared to the others, but we are talking about a very high level of track still a 7/10 compared to the other tracks. Until There's No Blood Left picks up the stompy and colossal sound. And this is a fave; a huge dark grim punch to the stomach and some wicked tempo twists at the end. The closing track is weighty It Won't End This Way and we are talking absolute peak Black Metal classic fare here. Not only does it close the album off perfectly, but it also grabs your attention and makes you feel you have walked through hell, and a graveyard. Morphine is the absolute leader in depressive black metal and you need this when it drops later this month. (please note that the above image is not the official cover art, that drops on the release.)
Support this excellent band.

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