Μνήμα (Mnima) - Gathering Sorcery to the Eternal Portals of the Past PT II EP
Digging your own grave XII: A splash of colour.
We might’ve hit a bit of a speed bump with the Spider God split, but I had faith that sooner or later Μνήμα would get back to indulging us with quality material again, all by their lonesome. Following the escapade with Spider God, our unknown mastermind decided to revisit the Gathering Sorcery… series of EPs and produce its second instalment, one that I was quite curious about, seeing as I retroactively visited the first part, and this time around I’d be going in completely blind as to what is to come. Turns out that not only is it a case of the sequel improving on the original, it’s also my favourite of the band’s short-form releases thus far.
While low recording fidelity is a recurring motif in Μνήμα’s work, this is the one time I found myself truly invested in the sonic aesthetics presented, instead of being repulsed or indifferent towards them. From the moment “III” begins, it’s evident that everything is far more brittle than it’s ever been, from the shrill sound of the guitars to the strangely clean howls that introduce the song. Every riff sounds like it’s being played on the higher strings, and nary a note seems to be going lower than the fifth fret. The melodies pierce right through in a uniquely abrasive manner, scarcely any different from insects wanting to burrow themselves in your ears.
And yet, it all feels strangely comforting, colourful even. The shrillness courses through as much as it pierces, the guitars possessing an almost scintillating quality, making it easy to get lost in the almost-psychedelic atmosphere they conjure up. Although the first track cycles through a very limited riffset, I don’t see myself minding it much, since the riffs are as enveloping as they are, not to mention our instrumentalist is sure to mix things up by layering some melodic lead lines that manage to cut through the noise, not to mention that suspended guitar break three quarters of the way through that leaves me breathless every time. While the tools employed are familiar to us, the sheen with which they’ve been coated makes them feel much fresher, and unlocks a new dimension to their sound, one that we haven’t been all that privy to up to now.
Following a seamless transition into “IV”, we get to see the ideas that appeared in the preceding track collide with more kinetic and dense songwriting. The riffing becomes harsher, the drumming more erratic, and it’s all cascading down from the heavens upon the listener. The percussion in particular is as much of a standout as the guitar work on this song, with a plethora of beats to keep us on (and tapping) our toes, from off-kilter shuffles, to the rollicking double-bass in the back half. The latter part in particular transposes the band’s trademark riffing style to the drums, having a wavering quality to it, despite its intensity and consistency.
As we’ve established, the two compositions operate as a cohesive unit, sharing plenty of similarities while also showcasing both sides of the Μνήμα coin when it comes to composing black metal. On one hand, we have the unending streams of tremolo riffing, occasionally interlaced with an arpeggio or a lead, and on the other we have the more elaborate and winding pieces, composed of more elaborate components, whether in the rhythm or riffing department. Given the “signpost” nature of the Gathering Sorcery… EPs, it’s safe to assume the band wished to try and combine these two approaches into a single release, delineating between the two with nothing but two numbers and a scream. And all things considered, it works quite well.
Strange as it might seem, I find myself at a loss trying to write about this little EP. Despite its brevity, it has left quite a mark on me, not only within the context of Μνήμα’s 2021 output, but their discography at large. It’s not often that a raw black metal release feels so inviting, and this one has had me spellbound for the past two weeks. Singular in character within Μνήμα’s oeuvre, and a definite highlight for adding a highly distorted, yet bright, splash of colour in an artist whose artistry is by all accounts defined by its being black as pitch. It’s not often that cruelty and comfort are joined in such perfect harmony, and that alone makes the EP worth your time.
Highlight: IV
While low recording fidelity is a recurring motif in Μνήμα’s work, this is the one time I found myself truly invested in the sonic aesthetics presented, instead of being repulsed or indifferent towards them. From the moment “III” begins, it’s evident that everything is far more brittle than it’s ever been, from the shrill sound of the guitars to the strangely clean howls that introduce the song. Every riff sounds like it’s being played on the higher strings, and nary a note seems to be going lower than the fifth fret. The melodies pierce right through in a uniquely abrasive manner, scarcely any different from insects wanting to burrow themselves in your ears.
And yet, it all feels strangely comforting, colourful even. The shrillness courses through as much as it pierces, the guitars possessing an almost scintillating quality, making it easy to get lost in the almost-psychedelic atmosphere they conjure up. Although the first track cycles through a very limited riffset, I don’t see myself minding it much, since the riffs are as enveloping as they are, not to mention our instrumentalist is sure to mix things up by layering some melodic lead lines that manage to cut through the noise, not to mention that suspended guitar break three quarters of the way through that leaves me breathless every time. While the tools employed are familiar to us, the sheen with which they’ve been coated makes them feel much fresher, and unlocks a new dimension to their sound, one that we haven’t been all that privy to up to now.
Following a seamless transition into “IV”, we get to see the ideas that appeared in the preceding track collide with more kinetic and dense songwriting. The riffing becomes harsher, the drumming more erratic, and it’s all cascading down from the heavens upon the listener. The percussion in particular is as much of a standout as the guitar work on this song, with a plethora of beats to keep us on (and tapping) our toes, from off-kilter shuffles, to the rollicking double-bass in the back half. The latter part in particular transposes the band’s trademark riffing style to the drums, having a wavering quality to it, despite its intensity and consistency.
As we’ve established, the two compositions operate as a cohesive unit, sharing plenty of similarities while also showcasing both sides of the Μνήμα coin when it comes to composing black metal. On one hand, we have the unending streams of tremolo riffing, occasionally interlaced with an arpeggio or a lead, and on the other we have the more elaborate and winding pieces, composed of more elaborate components, whether in the rhythm or riffing department. Given the “signpost” nature of the Gathering Sorcery… EPs, it’s safe to assume the band wished to try and combine these two approaches into a single release, delineating between the two with nothing but two numbers and a scream. And all things considered, it works quite well.
Strange as it might seem, I find myself at a loss trying to write about this little EP. Despite its brevity, it has left quite a mark on me, not only within the context of Μνήμα’s 2021 output, but their discography at large. It’s not often that a raw black metal release feels so inviting, and this one has had me spellbound for the past two weeks. Singular in character within Μνήμα’s oeuvre, and a definite highlight for adding a highly distorted, yet bright, splash of colour in an artist whose artistry is by all accounts defined by its being black as pitch. It’s not often that cruelty and comfort are joined in such perfect harmony, and that alone makes the EP worth your time.
Highlight: IV
Rating: 95%
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