Lutomysl
I(')MQUI(nt)ESs/cENCE

THE REVIEW

Still Black Metal, still vaguely Depressive. I discovered this One Man Band (again!) from Ukraine thanks to a friend of mine whom I still don't understand how he found it (since he's not a diehard Black Metaller): he played me a minute of a song, and I confirmed that it was the type of Black Metal that suited me.

The name is unpronounceable, the album title is illegible, the guy’s photo is at least annoying (even if it has nothing to do with his concept, the guy looks exactly like a neo-Nazi); but beyond these purely formal considerations, the project is truly interesting.

Darkthrone, Satanic Warmaster, Judas Iscariot (especially the last one): three names that speak volumes about the proposed sound and that clearly explain why this guy immediately convinced me (Judas Iscariot is perhaps my favorite Black artist). Although it is a much simpler approach, I would rather avoid taking refuge in quoting and attempt to describe this type of Black.
When talking about this genre, it is always very difficult to place artists in the right classification, especially if it is not codified: for example, the definition of "Raw Black" is enough to throw Darkthrone and Mayhem into the same mix, bands that, although both devoted to minimalism, differ monstrously. Even worse to reduce everything to the definition of "Norwegian Black", which includes profoundly different groups such as Immortal, Burzum, Emperor, Gorgoroth, Forgotten Woods, and the aforementioned two. If you find similarities between these seven bands in such number as to allow a common classification, you are magicians.
You will understand then how urgent it becomes to outline Lutomysl's proposal in such a way that one does not stumble upon this project thinking they will find something else.

I know it is philosophically incorrect to define the object of a dissertation by starting to say what it is not, but in this case, it is easier for me: Lutomysl is not Depressive and not Raw either. More melodic and elaborate than raw Black, less desperate and anguishing than Depressive: I had promised myself not to fall into quoting again, but I'm forced to drop the name Akenathen (the mind behind Judas Iscariot) once more.

The crucial point is managing to combine simple and sharp riffs with more atmospheric and melancholic ones. When I talk about atmosphere, forget for a moment the "keyboard-heavy" manifestations à la Emperor or the slow slides towards death of Xasthur: it is still minimal Black. It would be more appropriate to recall that masterpiece named "And To Every Beast Its Prey", an album by Weltmacht (another creature of Akenathen) that stands out for its "quiet majesty".
The riffing is decadent yet epic, the Mood is tense but under control. Do not expect a less intense Depressive effort; here we are faced with an "active nihilism" that has nothing to do with the tragic and dying passion of bands devoted to the aforementioned genre. The rhythms are always quite fast, almost as if to not risk that the proposal gets misunderstood; "I(')Mqui(nt)ess/cence" remains nevertheless quite unsettling.

The sense of pride, of stoic resignation is not enough to spare the listener from a shower of unease and spleen: no one likes to be defeated, not even with dignity. "Born By Burning", "Ty (Ockonlettue)", and "Betpy Xelattur Yparatt Cogugattur" are the must-hear songs of this album; the others remain above the average of many other works of the same genre. I honestly believe Lutomysl should delight any Black Metaller (except those who listen to Swedish): the voice might not convince (I don't like it much), but the emotional magnitude of this album remains unaffected.