Domingo 5 Abr 2009, 21:09

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DISCLAIMER: The following text is probably rife with errors and bad taste.

So after spending a good year and a half incubating my love of a small handful of industrial variety black metal bands (namely 3, Void (UK), Helel and Thorns) my cravings have finally emerged for this variety of music. I've had some past experience with pseudo-industrial music genres, but this genre has definitely evolved past what I was used to.

Much like progressive genres and other experimental music, the industrial black metal scene is both hated by many a metal fan and also praised by the artsy crowd at times. Void (UK) recieved a lot of positive press from their debut full-length "Posthuman", for example, despite perfectly blending dissonant mechanical black metal riffs with electronic dance beats and industrial sampling (something that no doubt offends purists and those who hate electronic music styles).

My discovery of good bands is rapidly increasing, with the smaller less known bands seeming to be the ones with the best ideas. Much of the french Industrial Black scene is home to some of the more creative and overall atmospheric artists such as Helel and Alien Deviant Circus are definitely on to something, yet are still capable of creating an almost exclusively unique sound all to themselves.

I've determined that above all, the bands in this genre that make names for themselves and maintain an enjoyable sound after repeated listening are the ones who experiment, rather than ones that try not to stray from formulas and instead choose to take noticeable influence from bands. Unique sounds that are developed in unexpected ways stay memorable in any genre, but this one requires it almost exclusively. Mediocre industrial black metal is just like mediocre black metal except that it both drones and plods at annoying levels.

Speaking of annoying, I've discovered that despite my hopes this genre is also plagued by your usual handful of generic bands. Blacklodge from France are a good example of guys trying too hard without taking the time to differentiate between what they're making. I can hear interesting ideas and half-formed concepts mixing together, but they don't survive by the end of the song. What's more, the whole album I heard (SolarKult) felt annoyingly samey and quickly lost force. SolarKult had its moments, but it did not keep my interest throughout. I may give it a few more spins to try and dissect it though, seeing as its definitely got something interesting going on.

Overall, my experiences today have been a mixed bag when it comes to this stuff. I want to love this genre, and I'm confident I will. I just have to find the right bands, as is the case with any other genre. Still, with throwaway bands aplenty, I've got some digging to do. The french industrial black metal scene seems like a great resource for what I need though, as well as Encyclopedia Metallum.

Small note, Black Hole Generator, a band I'm seeing tagged as Industrial BM, are not as such. While a good modern black metal band, BHG are not industrial. Their drum machine is even the owner of a very lifelike and warm tone rather than an industrial mechanical one. I did enjoy their material though, and I'm confident I'll like most of it within a few listens.