NECRITE (Sic Transit Gloria Mundi) CD
NECRITE has been around since 2004, and after a long series of demos the band now releases their debut album 'Sic Transit Gloria Mundi' via Flenser Records. Since the band was unknown to me, I was very curious to hear their music - not least because obviously they had difficulties to find a record label. The CD kicks off very slowly with a lot of reverb - a funeral procession, which seems to get lost in the reverberation, accompanied by a harsh voice. Then, after ten minutes it seems as if the procession has reached hell. It's the entry of hard, fast and aggressive black metal that is full of distorted screams. It's a very catchy and epic track with a playing time of sixteen minutes.
Nevertheless it should be emphasized that the band is extremely skillful in using and integrating abrupt tempo changes. Remarkably, the noise and ambient elements intensify the mood and it becomes almost unbearable in regard to the aforementioned 'hell'. I have to admit that, especially in these moments, NECRITE's black metal/noise mixture comes very close to my musical pain barrier. But after a few minutes in 'hell' the whole thing usually resolves in calm, almost soothing sonic islands.
The title track 'Sic Transit Gloria Mundi' is twenty-seven minutes in length. The band's ambient side comes into play here: quieter ambient passages, but interrupted from acoustic sounds and black metal insets. That's why the track never becomes boring or trivial. The album concludes with a jaunt to drone island - a small tribute to Sunn - and ensures a conciliatory closing of 'Sic Transit Gloria Mundi'. To sum it up, NECRITE's debut is a hard nut to crack and completely unsuitable as background music. But everybody who feels comfortable with unexpected tempo changes that arose or if you're looking for an emotional roller coaster ride, then you should check out 'Sic Transit Gloria Mundi'. It's worth it!
(Blaue Nacht)