"Høst" is the rather fucking stunning debut full-length from Minnesota's Hennes Siste Høst on Init Records, and I have to say that I was really quite shocked to see this material coming from a label that I'd never have expected to delve into the black metal realm. Of course, I was initially unsure of what to expect, as the visual aesthetic (impossible to read logo and all) certainly suggests black metal, but three-and-a-half-minute opener "Jevndoegnet" consists solely of sparse piano and whispered vocals with subtle little glitches of distortion and such, so I thought for a second there that this might be one of those experimental noise artists that simply flirts with black metal imagery. But thankfully (though the introductory piece is quite nice) the remaining six tracks explore some truly creative, atmospheric, and above all moving (though honestly I find the lyrics to be incredibly lacking considering how impressive everything else is) black metal in about an hour's time.
The work is the vision of primary member Zander Ness, who handles basically all of the writing duties, as well as the vast majority of the performances on record (live he does the bass and vocals), and should appeal to fans of Weakling, early Ulver, early Agalloch (And those are loose reference points, okay? I'm trying to make the point that this is melodic, has a lot of emphasis, and is fucking awesome, got it?), and any brand of cold, furious, Scandinavian-influenced black metal that explores a lot of spacious, textured riffing and fiercely screamed vocals—with a good balance of moderate tempos and even some unexpected time signatures and almost jazzy/progressive riffs that remind me of bands like Clockhammer or something!? That may sound completely strange, but trust me when I assure you that it all sounds fully logical and cohesive within the confines (or lack thereof) of these compositions. The variety never strays too far, and the quality of the riffs is just fuckin' insane. I can't speak highly enough of the guitar work or how surprised I am by the general nature of the effectiveness of the songwriting here.
But now the part where I have to be brutally honest, which I haven't had to do in awhile. Lyrically there's a theme, and certain passages aren't bad, but then there's shit like this, which just totally obliterates any potential the lyrics might have had for me:
I draw the shades, and pull my switchblade. We fucked on manes, the floor, their graves. We went all the way. She sucked me dry under the stars... She sells sex by the sea. She sells sex straight to me...
I mean, I can't really understand a damn word of the actual vocal performance on the album anyway, so it doesn't disrupt the listen in the least, but I mean... what the fuck!? That shit's cheesier and more irritating than a lot of the usual satanic junk that comes along with this genre. Certainly a letdown considering how fucking top-notch the riffs, performances, songwriting, and musical feeling of the album are as a whole. I was really hoping for some lyrics that had a more personal touch, something that I might be able to identify with in any way, since the music is so far beyond what the vast majority of black metal has to offer.
But that's what really matters at the end of the day anyway, and from a musical standpoint this an absolutely outstanding album that's definitely one of the best black metal records I've heard in several months. I think it was released in 2007, though, otherwise I'd have speculated that it'd easily be among the best black metal releases of 2008—even this early in the year. So, overall: Superb. Most recommended.
Comments
Just in case I’m the only idiot to catch this: is it not a slight bit ironic to have a song called “December” on an album called “Autumn” by a band called “Her final autumn”? Am I being a whiny shit?
Else: Nice cover, painfully crap lyrics. I wonder what Ørjan Stedjeberg thinks about how they kinda named the album after him.
Incidentally, the Norwegian band HAUST are fucking fantastic.
2.29.2008 | By svein
maybe i’m misguided, but i personally just can’t separate the music from the lyrics. it’s like separating the visuals from the plot in a movie or something. “well, yeah, the plot is anti-semitic, but the camera work is top-notch”. doesn’t work. how can i give a fuck about the music this guy makes when his mind simultaneously produces such tragically diarrheal crap for lyrics? and how can i consciously keep ignoring one part in order to enjoy the whole? just can’t do it. sorry.
2.29.2008 | By chris
The problem with shitty lyrics is that it reduces the incentive to buy a physical copy of the album, because you know you’ll be groaning everytime you open the sleeve. But this is really good.
2.29.2008 | By kevin
Personally I didn’t read 2% of lyrics from my collection. The most important thing form me is music. I won’t buy CD because it have great lyrics and bad music. Or great artwork. If I don’t like music then fuck off!
This sounds quite interesting but it’s somewhat too melodic for me. It reminds me sometimes for some melodic punk rock band or something. I must hear the rest of the album but I don’t hear any Weakling, Ulver or Agalloch influences herein.
And I must say that 99% of bands lyrcis are complete bullshit. Still better this than sam “oh I love Satan and he fuckes me shit”.
2.29.2008 | By Anonymous
Just grabbed the whole album…and it’s no Weakling, that’s for damn sure. Still, it’s worth a listen.
Re: Lyrics
Tough call. If you are a fan of Black Metal, lyrics HAVE to take a back seat. How could they not?! Sighting mentioned example, Weaking lyrics, past AMAZING song titles, Weaking lyrics aren’t even available and that could be my top BM record of all time. And how many times can you hear about Satan and dark, cold woods? Hardcore lyrics have to be solid for me, but BM is about feeling and atmosphere first…if the lyrics are great, it’s a bonus. HOWEVER, I do feel that packaging for BM is higher up for me than on hardcore releases because again…it’s about the overall look AND feel.
I’m rambling. Hail the dark grimm beast of the norse woods and his white cold emotions of frost! (That’s a freebie…)
2.29.2008 | By Chris
It really doesn’t particularly sound like those bands, which is why I mentioned that those were “loose reference points”, but I was just trying to think of bands that have different sounding riffs and melodies and that kind of emphatic sensibility to them. I don’t know…
I’m also thinking I shouldn’t have quoted the worst passage of lyrics from the album, ha, ha. It’s a fucking great album. I wouldn’t hold the lyrics against the big picture.
2.29.2008 | By Andrew Aversionline
Great album. Great review.
2.29.2008 | By Ryan Fairfield
Not bad.
Cheesy, nonsensical lyrics don’t really bother me a whole lot, especially if the music surrounding it is good. And this is one of those cases. I have no fucking clue what the words I’m hearing are, but right now it doesn’t matter. As long as it’s not something utterly random and stupid or trying to preach to me (and I don’t mean just in a relgious or anti-religious sense either), it’s alright.
2.29.2008 | By Dichatomy
You had me at “Weakling.”
3.1.2008 | By Chris
Actually, I hear the Agalloch in here. Something in the way the riffs undergo palm-muting…
3.2.2008 | By Invisible Oranges