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 Drowning the Light

“Enslaved by the Cave” (Dark Adversary Productions, 2023)

Azgorh has been, for many years, a force to be reckoned with. Master of his trait, the Australian has been “fighting his battle” with Drowning the Light, for 20 years. The evolution in his sound has been massive, and quality became a trademark for the project’s sound. You see, Drowning the Light is a massive entity when it comes to Black Metal, a Beast that structured a sound, an image, an atmosphere, crafted an almost perfect sonic world, a dome in which DTL is the soundtrack. And again, the evolution - or metamorphose if you prefer - in his sound has shown an Artist with immense skills and a long way ahead of him. I believe there is no need to go into his “backlog” as a musician, as his projects speak for themselves.

He has always been a man of many surprises, and these 2 EPs were a pleasant one. “Enslaved by the Cave” and “Violet Mercury & Moonlit Sorcery” are a different perspective, a peculiar one, a more… different one. Well, the melodic clean vocals were a satisfying revelation, and they fit so well, so well. “Nightside Constellations of Fire” is a very curious track; the raw side of his work is all there, along with melodies that I do not place, immediately, within the realm of Black Metal. Beautiful melodies, entrancing melodies, but unexpected melodies. The whole track is so well-built that you are unable to escape its claws. And what about the clean vocals? They add wonderful dynamics and layers. It reminds me of “A Looming Resonace”, By Wolves in the Throne Room, and how the vocals work as a catalyst - discreet and unexpected - to a lovely destructive moment.

To a mate, the clean vocals were what surprised him the most; I dare say that what surprised me the most were the almost Post-Punk/Darkwave melodies that run beneath the Black Metal instrumental, to which his vocal performance is added. EP closer, “A Civilization in Decay… No Hope to be Saved”, is a beauty of a track. The keyboard driven melody is amazing. The female clean vocals and the melody match up perfectly. Although not being a Black Metal track, it is a superb closer.

“Violet Mercury & Moonlit Sorcery” (Dark Adversary Productions, 2023)

Once that is over, we follow our path towards more music.  “Violet Mercury & Moonlit Sorcery” is the 2nd offering from Azgorh, and again, a splendid one. 2 tracks and 20 minutes and 44 seconds of cold Black Metal and haunting Dungeon Synth… and how they merge into each other, the perfect atmosphere, and emotions. Dark and Scary, Deep and Visceral. Black Metal track, “Violet Mercury”, comes ragging in, always with that perfect melody of his. Azgorh is able to fuse Melody & Visceral perfectly. His sound is, mostly, Melodic, no doubt about it; nevertheless, he crafts melancholic and romantic melodies as few. His work always attracted me due to this almost ever-present duality of sounds/melodies.

1st track is a long one. 12 minutes and 50 seconds is a long time, right? Well, it depends on how the Artist conducts those 12 minutes and 50 seconds. Once it starts, you are received by this punishing riff that hits you hard, but as the song continues, we are welcomed to a superb melodic display of craftsmanship and Black Metal. Again, the clean vocals are present, and we do not feel it so misplaced as before, for now we understand the magnitude of what the Artist wishes to accomplish. And I do not see DTL as an overrated Black Metal act in any way; nevertheless, I feel that DTL is not given its due credit. But maybe that is just me…

And then, as closer: “Moonlit Sorcery”, 2nd track from this EP and a strong Dungeon Synth track. A track that has many faces, many sonic expressions. Short extracts of A and B, different visions of the same haunting and terrifying experience, that in the end form a single track.

Overall, DTL welcomed us into his special realm of disturbing and beautiful melodies and atmospheres with 2 superb examples of his musical abilities. And while you are at it, check out “Haunter of the Depp” and its Melodic Black Metal so characteristic of the Aussie Artist, and for a more Depressive and Melancholic approach, head on over to the “Burning a Path Beyond the Cosmos” Demo… the 2 sides of Azgorh’s work and mind.

Dark Adversary Productions Bigcartel

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