Limbonic Art
In Abhorrence Dementia

THE REVIEW

I find it natural to review only the albums I particularly enjoy, and that have not already been reviewed by others (and often the task is arduous). Great was my astonishment, therefore, to find that no one, among the many admirers of the genre here on debaser, has yet examined an album like this, of primary importance within the realm of less orthodox Black Metal.

In 1997 the release of the then semi-unknown Norwegian duo "Limbonic Art" drew an attention that in the extreme music scene was usually reserved for seminal bands. The album sparked, in specialist magazines and among connoisseurs, a real debate, which is partly still alive, despite the fact that today Limbonic Art no longer exists, and their contribution is increasingly relegated to oblivion. But what, in the project's proposal, so shocked the more or less seasoned listeners of Black Metal's extravagances?

Well, if a stylistic attribute like "Symphonic" can be applicable (and not by opposition) to a violent, minimalist, and under-arranged genre like Black Metal, this is perhaps the only case where such an application would be legitimate. The only one, mind you, also in relation to the band's other works, absolutely not comparable to this; nor, for that matter, to the more or less tacky and semi-serious formulas offered today by various Dimmu Borgir, Cradle Of Filth and the like, aimed at applying classical, or pseudo-classical solutions to a purely "song-oriented" or otherwise simple structure and of immediate accessibility. On the other hand, the comparison with some works by Satyricon or Emperor is legitimate but not pertinent, due to stylistic differences, approach, intentions (and those who know the bands in question know what I am referring to). They are ensembles that, although having many similarities, when listened to show all the differences that fortunately distinguish them and make them, in their own way, original.

The strange and explosive mixture of this genre masterpiece is the result of a skilled balance between harmony, colors, shapes of symphonic music, and the sensibility (only seemingly poles apart, in my opinion) of extreme music. The redundancy and baroque sense that ooze from every track often contrast with the refinement and lightness of some themes, hidden and almost unintelligible among the stormy guitars and the drums (also electronic, like all the other effects, which are however of excellent quality) in "blastbeats". The atmospheres evoked by the skilled use of keyboards are now epic, now bucolic, now wizardly and esoteric, played on the contrast between delicate melodies and others decidedly dark, wrapped in heavy layers of effects. Extensive use of electronic sampling and synths, so that the stylistic contamination often appears pushed to the extreme, as in the case of the splendid "Under Burdens of Life's Holocaust", a sort of ballad with a spectral and ethereal melody (listen to what they manage to do with cellos, even if virtual!) that transforms, in the second part, into a fierce war-song. Memorable the entire first half (and the first three tracks in particular) of the album, the highest point of Limbonic's entire career. Complete, complex, satisfying, and divinely arranged episodes. Less engaging, yet still valid, the second part.

Some aspects of "In Abhorrence Dementia" lend themselves to some criticism: first of all, the length. Not that the album is boring or verbose (despite lasting well over an hour, without considering the bonus tracks...), however, some episodes tend to prolong themselves excessively (which is not highly desirable in the case of an album of not easy listening like this). No track, to be clear, lasts less than seven minutes. Another necessary note regards the screaming, not bad, but decidedly conventional. Pleasant and surprising, instead, some rare dark-ambient and noise openings. The lyrics feature the usual high degree of romantic and unhealthy exoticism, as do the track names, all definitely over the top: "A Venomous Kiss of Profane Grace", "Misanthropic Spectrum" (sic!), etc.

In conclusion, this work by Limbonic Art is an audacious and extremely elaborate piece, highly enjoyable, which should not be missing in the record collections of lovers of extreme music as well as experimental music in general (as for classical music enthusiasts, well, I don't know if they would appreciate it, although I hope they would...).