(No Solace Records)
Total Time: 42:29
During the last decade the Polish scene has displayed a remarkable number of new bands providing the black metal spectrum with enough quality releases. FURIA, BLAZE OF PERDITION, PLAGA, CULTES DES GHOULES are some of the bands that captivate and stand out with their sonic diversity but the true leaders of the scene are no others than the mighty MGLA. From the earthshaking EP’s of 2006-2007 and their other musical vehicle, KRIEGSMACHINE, it was obvious that the duo of Mikołaj Żentara (Μ.) and Maciej Kowalski (Darkside) possessed a unique musical vision. Although i am more fascinated by the triumphant melodies and the fiery vehemence of “With Hearts towards None”, it was the glorious “Exercises in Futility” with its melancholic introversion that elevated the popularity of the Poles and cemented their place as one of the best contemporary black metal bands.
Four years later and after lenghty tours and appearances to Europe’s biggest festivals, the Polish duo returns unexpectedly with its fourth full release “Age of Excuse”. Even though the employ their usual post rock dynamics (repeatedness in guitar themes creating climactic tension that results in cathartic outbursts), there are some enriching nuances compared to its predecessor indicative of their compositional refinement and perfection of their songwriting process. Darkside, in more “progressive” KRIEGSMACHINE forms, exhibits an orgasmic crescendo of relentless drumming and pulsating cymbalic patterns while M. showcases a wide variety (in contrast to the 4-5 thematic riffs of previous releases) of memorable and poignant riffs, some of which are the best in their career. Their performance facilitates the flow of the album and M.’s more distinguisable rattling vocal tone (as a result of the more “polished” production) highlights their nihilistic manifest and more furious facade of “Age of Excuse”.
“I” starts with a creepy and rather unsettling sound like “cracking” teeth and with its spiteful post-chorus is the perfect opening song. “II” and “III” complement each other (they were also performed in live succession at this year’s BRUTAL ASSAULT being the best moment of their gig) presenting an assault of fantastic “catchy” riffs and Darkside’s grandiose complicated patterns while “III” with its chaotic screaming riff that rapes your ears and rips your soul, constitutes the first peak of the album and one the best songs in Black metal this year. The monotonous “IV” honours its tropes and with the Darkthrone-ish riff leads us to the more epic and atmospheric two-track epilogue. “V” with its modular introduction, evocative clean recitation vocals and mid-tempo rhythms enriches the gloomy atmospherics concluding to the tremendous “VI” that constitutes the second peak. Dramatic guitar tone interchanges with menacing riffs expanding the veil of nihilism and despair before M. in its final break unleashes with its venomous voice its last wrathful words in a majestic reverb of mystagogue.
MGLA, being in their most mature musically period and by having their two members in top form, managed to present in “Age of Excuse” one the best releases in Black Metal this year by consolidating their place as one of best bands of the second decade of the twenty first century. All you have to do is to invite yourselves to wander in their dark soundscapes…
Rating: 8,5/10
George Kolivanos
Related Link: MGLA – Official Page
