Who could resist an album with a track called ”Black Absinth Drunk while Analyzing the Writings ov Nietzsche”? Abbey ov Thelema is a two man avant-garde Black Metal band from Slovakia. Stating that it’s “avant-garde” doesn’t convey too much, so let me explain. First of all, it could be argued that this album should be placed in the “insanity” tray, but that statement doesn’t do it justice. In any case there’s always a fine line between insanity and creativity, and there’s plenty of the latter. During the course of “A Fragment ov the Great Work”, we’re exposed to a multitude of musical elements: croaking Black Metal, orchestral music, razor-sharp guitars, electro-industrial, Classical piano pieces and so on. It’s what you do with it all that counts. The result is in fact remarkable.
The church organ and bells lead us in but we’re soon immersed croaked Black Metal superimposed on retro organ music. It’s kind of Progressive, most certainly it’s Black Metal. Fast and furious Polish-style Black Metal with Progressive edges are fully in evidence still as we head into “Unearthly Theophagia ov a Nonexistent Deity”. Nothing stays the same for too long here, but it has to be said that Abbey ov Thelema don’t frustratingly do as other bands do and move on without giving time to develop a theme and create an impression on us. Electro-industrial sound waves take over. We hear screams of despair. The atmosphere is intense. It’s like looking into the inside of a chaotic mind.
As we hit “Black Absinth Drunk while analyzing the Writings of Nietzsche”, we are confronted by a kaleidoscope of sounds. Demented synthesisers lead us in but a serious mood sweeps across the canvas with a dark orchestral sound. It stops and re-starts with steady orchestral Black Metal but it goes round and round and a folk tune emerges from it. Guitars strike in devilishly, the synthesiser returns and chips in with the folk tune, which is now presented in a lighter way. This is all the prelude to an unexpected piece of violent and raging Black Metal. It’s 6 ½ minutes of eccentricity but most of all it’s a stunning set of musical movements without the concept of boundaries.
The blastbeats are back as symphonic and discordant Black metal hangs on nightmarish background rhythms and angst-driven vocals. There’s a theatricality about “The Hidden Wisdom and Clandestine Legacy ov the Black Arts”, combining the impenetrable darkness of Anaal Nathrakh with the antics of Carach Angren. The final three tracks “The Day ov Nuit”, “The Day ov Hadit” and The Day ov Ra-Hoor-Khuit” are prefixed with the dates 8th, 9th and 10th April 1904. This, I pieced together, must relate to Alastair Crowley’s Book of the Law, the first chapter of which was transcribed at this time. In musical terms, the first part starts with sweeping winds, which provide the background to calming chamber music with orchestral tones. A dramatic and frightening atmosphere develops. There is also a feeling of chaos. Yet there seems to be a tune in there from the organ – these mysteriously emerging tunes are a feature of this work – which is now acting in unison with blasting drums, growled and darkly spoken tones and disharmonious guitar work. As we head into “9th April 1904. The Day ov Hadit”, it becomes dark and doomy. This is melodic and moody track, cast from the shadows. The keyboards and darkly spoken parts add further flavour. The theatricals return for the final part, which commences with a piece of distorted electro Black Metal. Demented and menacing keyboards ring out while the vocals are reminiscent of Mr Filth. The drums trigger and the vocals croak. There is a nightmarish quality which invades the rest of it. Unlike the previous part, it’s not remotely melodious but this is a trifling issue on this quite bizarre album.
“Do what Thou Wilt”, it is stated on the sleeve notes. I’m still not sure whether these artists deserve a prize for genius or whether they should be locked up for insanity. There is no fixed structure but that’s the idea. Yet there are many magnificent passages and the album never lacks interest. I’d say that “A Fragment ov the Great work” errs on the side of genius.
http://www.abbeyovthelema.com
http://www.myspace.com/sonictemplerecs
Andrew Doherty
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