Liturgy – Aesthethica (2011) [Thrill Jockey] // Grade: C

I wanna like the NYC black metal scene. I really do but release after release of shoe-gazy black metal just doesn’t sit so great with me. Not that all black metal has to be corpse-paint, blood and blast beats but it should be a little more engaging than a lot of the current acts keep pushing on us. The Brooklyn-based Liturgy first brought its ‘spiritual’ black metal act to the masses with Renihilation back in 2009. At the time, I was thinking that Krallice was the only black metal act to still be performing in NYC but alas, I was wrong.

Two years after Renihilation, Liturgy returns with Aesthethica and while I want to be stoked on the release (and the NYC black metal scene), I can’t be. While black metal is known for its compressed and low-fi sound, it doesn’t need to be wielded around like a spastic noisebox by Lightning Bolt rejects. Ouch. I know that’s harsh but there needs to be, at least in my opinion, some audible space in black metal or else it becomes too overwhelming to enjoy. One thing that Liturgy could pick up from Krallice is a bit of tremolo-picking throttle. We all know it’s a black metal signature sound, just turn it down a notch!

A perfect example of this is the opening track, “High Gold.” It opens with some noise, rendered artistically and before you know it, a jolting, screaming idiot takes the mic and flails his voice around like a deranged bird. This continues for minutes, along with some jarring breaks, a la early Dillenger Escape Plan and other Nü Metal acts from the 90′s. There are some minute breaks in the madness but nothing too noticeable. Next up is “True Will,” a play right out of the Body’s (and even the Lairs’) playbook. Various vocal notes overlaid and oscillating to segue into more unrelenting blast beats. While I’m sure it’s intentional, this shrill and even caustic sound is a failed attempt at being artsy, at least to me anyway.

Maybe it’s my discontent with black metal like this or maybe it’s just bad. Period. But there are some saving qualities that are hidden in the rough. “Returner” is tolerable. The break is a bit more unique and what I was expecting from Liturgy when I first saw the cover, or the fact that they released Aesthethica on Thrill Jockey records. “Generation” comes in and again, isn’t so bad. The tiered breaks are catchy and successful and it continues on to “Tragic Laurel,” another good track. The madness ensues more with “Sun of Light” and we’re given a break with “Helix Skull,” a minimally-composed electronic tune.

The rest of the album kinda just mushes together. “Glory Bronze” is pretty easy to skip. Then comes “Veins of God,” a heavy, even doom-like instrumental track. As I said, there are a few saving graces to be found on Aesthethica but it’s something about the chaotic and rash vocals that just keep ruining the tracks for me: i.e. “Red Crown” and another metal yodeling track “Glass Earth.” Finally, we’re at the last cut, “Harmonia” and it’s actually the best track on the album.

So what the fuck happened to Aesthethica? It’s a halfsies album. Half is good music. It’s experimental without being overbearing and then the second half is like some art school hep-cats got into black metal recently. These guys could take a few key points from Wolves in the Throne Room (who I have issues with but at least they’re good at what they do) if the artsy, shoegaze black metal is what they’re all about. Or even Woe for chrissake! Their current formula is off-balanced and even disorienting which might be what they’re going for but I don’t buy it!

- Prolly