🎵 Tracklist:
Track 1: La Encarnación de Todos los Miedos
Track 2: When True Loneliness is Experienced
Track 3: Third World Wretchedness
Track 4: Chant of Self Confrontation
Track 5: The One Who Blackens Everything
Track 6: Between Seclusion and Obsession
Track 7: The Stench of a Dead Spirit
🎸 Album Review:
Selbst, the enigmatic black metal entity hailing from Venezuela, has once again plunged listeners into the depths of despair with their latest release, “Despondency Chord Progressions.” This seven-track album is a haunting journey through bleak atmospheres, dissonant melodies, and raw emotional intensity.
From the opening track, “La Encarnación de Todos los Miedos,” Selbst sets the tone for the album with a cacophony of distorted guitars, thunderous drums, and tortured screams. The soundscapes created by the band are dense and suffocating, drawing the listener into a vortex of despair and introspection. The production on the album is raw and unpolished, adding to the visceral impact of the music.
Thematically, “Despondency Chord Progressions” delves into the darkest corners of the human psyche, exploring concepts of isolation, self-loathing, and existential dread. Each track is a sonic representation of a different aspect of despair, with lyrics that paint vivid images of inner turmoil and spiritual decay.
Standout tracks on the album include “When True Loneliness is Experienced” and “The One Who Blackens Everything.” The former is a relentless onslaught of blast beats and frenzied riffing, creating a sense of overwhelming loneliness and despair. The latter track showcases Selbst’s ability to create dynamic shifts in mood and intensity, with haunting melodies that linger long after the song has ended.
“Third World Wretchedness” stands out for its punishing aggression and bleak atmosphere, while “Chant of Self Confrontation” features a hypnotic repetition of dissonant chords that evoke a sense of unease and tension. “Between Seclusion and Obsession” offers a brief respite from the chaos with its melancholic melodies and introspective lyrics, before plunging back into the abyss with “The Stench of a Dead Spirit,” a suffocating closer that leaves a lingering sense of unease.
In comparison to Selbst’s previous albums, “Despondency Chord Progressions” represents a further exploration of the band’s signature sound. While their earlier releases focused more on raw aggression and primal energy, this album sees the band delving deeper into atmospheric and emotional territory. The songwriting on this album is more nuanced and complex, with a greater emphasis on mood and texture.
Overall, “Despondency Chord Progressions” is a challenging and immersive listening experience that rewards repeated listens. The album’s bleak atmospheres and raw emotional intensity make it a compelling journey into the darkest recesses of the human soul. Selbst has once again proven themselves to be masters of their craft, delivering a work of art that is both harrowing and cathartic.
In conclusion, “Despondency Chord Progressions” is a powerful statement from Selbst, showcasing their evolution as a band and their ability to create music that is both sonically and emotionally devastating. Fans of atmospheric black metal and those who appreciate music that delves into the depths of despair will find much to love in this album. It is a testament to the power of music to evoke raw emotion and confront the darkest aspects of the human experience.