Artist: Avsky
Title: Scorn
Type: Album
Label: Moribund Cult

A more than appropriate label for this Swedish duo methinks as the gruesome soundscapes evoked here by Avsky are both moribund and very cult indeed. Desolate, bleak and gnarly black metal is the order of the day on ‘Scorn’ with six predominantly lengthy tracks dragging the listener into a coal-black sonic chasm. Echoing shrieks and drums that sound like coffins being struck with flails accompany defiantly old-school, morbid guitar work and the whole record sounds like it has been recorded in a filth-encrusted, bloodstained bathroom. Yes, Avsky are firmly in the early Darkthrone/early Katharsis mould of haunting, hissing black metal with the reverb turned up to ‘10’ and ghoulish ambiences being the order of the day. ‘As the Mountains Collapse’ opens proceedings with a crescendo of ghastly shrieking that heralds the arrival of some seriously bestial, mid-paced riffing.

Atmosphere is maintained throughout the duration of ‘Scorn’ and it is clear that AE and TO are utterly dedicated to forging a truly dark ambience. This is heightened to no small degree by the occasional deployment of chilling clean guitar interludes (‘The Beyond’) which leavens the horror and aggression with something at once more reflective yet even more sinister. It’s a great balance and ensures that the album does not fall into the trap of overplaying one style. The pace shifts back and forth – ‘As The Mountains Collapse’ adopts a lurching feel while ‘No Compassion, No Regrets’ is nine minutes plus of frantic anger, closing with a doleful, chiming motif. Closing proceedings with the epic ‘The Sickness Within’, Avsky pull every trick out of their rotting, nasty bag – desperate howling, searing lead riffs and the abyssal finality of the song’s closing chords – and in the process add their name to the roster of Sweden’s more accomplished contemporary exponents of blackened unpleasantness.

http://www.myspace.com/avskyband

Frank Allain

MTUK HOME