Μνήμα (Mnima) - Gathering Sorcery to the Eternal Portals of the Past PT I EP
Digging your own grave IX: Running it back.
Yes, yes, I know that I said I’d review the Gathering Sorcery... series of EPs as a compilation and not individually. Any accusations of deception and insults regarding the integrity of my character are acknowledged as true and will be ignored henceforth. I missed this early period of Μνήμα and wanted to yap some more about it, and seeing as this was the only non-compilation release I had left (Whispering Oaths is interesting for its album-like cohesion but that’s about it), it was only reasonable to want to cover it, even if my perception of it would inevitably be clouded by having listened to everything that came since. Besides, the band itself considers these to be milestones of its progression, and who am I to deny them the time of day?
Given that the first part of this series came out in the same year as the Remains of Human Bones, it’s to be expected that the release is in a similar vein, with a handful of tweaks and additions to the general sound, such as the punk influence gradually becoming more and more pronounced on “I”. Even the riffing waxes and wanes after the halfway point, making for a rather dynamic composition, despite its being the usual black metal tremolo riffing. I’ve spoken of Μνήμα’s command over tone and mood extensively, and their ability to create deceptively complicated and textured compositions is something I’ll never get tired of praising.
On a similar note, the second track also features things that would make themselves more apparent later down the line, such as the band’s penchant for slow and forlorn melodies. Said melodies aren’t necessarily in agreement with the drums when it comes to how the passage should be paced, as the percussion on “II” is a full-speed blast beat, but that’s part of the charm. I’ve always had a weakness towards slow guitar riffs being played over hectic drumming, and anyone that does that will inevitably get some words of praise out of me. Especially when that opening motif is transformed into a barbed tremolo riff that dominates the rest of the track. Unfortunately, it’s not iterated upon beyond that point, and its cyclical nature wears thin as it goes on, but thankfully the song, and the release as a whole, end before they overstay their welcome.
I’d be remiss not to mention that X. is on vocals here, and something about the more cavernous approach to the production really elevates his performance. It’s dingy and harsh, to be sure, but it’s drenched in reverb in a manner that allows for a rather cadaverous atmosphere to be evoked. It’s not something I typically associate with Μνήμα, but it suits them nicely, and it’s arguably one of their more interesting approaches when it comes to production, alongside the Superior Poisoner of Time demo. Only instead of ear-splitting noise we’re met with a rather thick-sounding recording, which makes X.’s histrionics assume a more arcane and haunting character, as if summoned forth from the void. And it obviously wouldn’t be a Μνήμα release without the obligatory retching and screeching at the end of the EP, so (perhaps unsurprisingly) he obliges us on that front as well.
Unfortunately, hindsight is 20-20, and the first chapter of the Gathering Sorcery… series seems a little less impressive in retrospect, even if the songs manage to stand on their own for the most part. It remains a pleasant step in the band’s trajectory, despite being overshadowed by its surroundings, both in terms of experimentation and outright songwriting prowess. But then again, sometimes having the additional context does allow you to understand something a little better in the grander scheme of things, and I’d be lying if I said I didn’t enjoy noticing the little buds of black metal terror that’d end up blooming in the future.
Highlight: I
Given that the first part of this series came out in the same year as the Remains of Human Bones, it’s to be expected that the release is in a similar vein, with a handful of tweaks and additions to the general sound, such as the punk influence gradually becoming more and more pronounced on “I”. Even the riffing waxes and wanes after the halfway point, making for a rather dynamic composition, despite its being the usual black metal tremolo riffing. I’ve spoken of Μνήμα’s command over tone and mood extensively, and their ability to create deceptively complicated and textured compositions is something I’ll never get tired of praising.
On a similar note, the second track also features things that would make themselves more apparent later down the line, such as the band’s penchant for slow and forlorn melodies. Said melodies aren’t necessarily in agreement with the drums when it comes to how the passage should be paced, as the percussion on “II” is a full-speed blast beat, but that’s part of the charm. I’ve always had a weakness towards slow guitar riffs being played over hectic drumming, and anyone that does that will inevitably get some words of praise out of me. Especially when that opening motif is transformed into a barbed tremolo riff that dominates the rest of the track. Unfortunately, it’s not iterated upon beyond that point, and its cyclical nature wears thin as it goes on, but thankfully the song, and the release as a whole, end before they overstay their welcome.
I’d be remiss not to mention that X. is on vocals here, and something about the more cavernous approach to the production really elevates his performance. It’s dingy and harsh, to be sure, but it’s drenched in reverb in a manner that allows for a rather cadaverous atmosphere to be evoked. It’s not something I typically associate with Μνήμα, but it suits them nicely, and it’s arguably one of their more interesting approaches when it comes to production, alongside the Superior Poisoner of Time demo. Only instead of ear-splitting noise we’re met with a rather thick-sounding recording, which makes X.’s histrionics assume a more arcane and haunting character, as if summoned forth from the void. And it obviously wouldn’t be a Μνήμα release without the obligatory retching and screeching at the end of the EP, so (perhaps unsurprisingly) he obliges us on that front as well.
Unfortunately, hindsight is 20-20, and the first chapter of the Gathering Sorcery… series seems a little less impressive in retrospect, even if the songs manage to stand on their own for the most part. It remains a pleasant step in the band’s trajectory, despite being overshadowed by its surroundings, both in terms of experimentation and outright songwriting prowess. But then again, sometimes having the additional context does allow you to understand something a little better in the grander scheme of things, and I’d be lying if I said I didn’t enjoy noticing the little buds of black metal terror that’d end up blooming in the future.
Highlight: I
Rating: 70%
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