Album Review: Forgotten Tomb – Nihilistic Estrangement (Agonia Records)

Nihilistic Estrangement, Forgotten Tomb’s tenth studio album, opens a new chapter in the enduring history of the band and at the same time celebrates it through its stylistically eclectic tracklist which includes nods to the band’s whole back-catalogue; from its early, depressive black metal roots (a genre Forgotten Tomb was crucial in defining) to eerily dark blues/rock passages and finally exploring different shades of extreme doom. The album is enriched by retro-elegance thanks to the vintage analogue techniques that were used in the studio during its recording process, giving it a timeless appeal.

The album’s cover artwork is a painting, specifically drawn for this release by artist Paolo Girardi (Power Trip, Bell Witch, Inquisition). It complements the misanthropic and introvert nature of music and lyrics alike.

In a comment that encompasses everything from working on the album, to musical expectations and lyrical themes, the band had this to say:

Nihilistic Estrangement is our tenth album and it opens a new chapter of the band and possibly a new trilogy, therefore it sounds different from our previous release, which closed the past trilogy. The whole idea and concept behind the album was to make something detached from all the current trends in terms of style and production so that it would feel timeless and not chained to a particular frame in time. I chose specific vintage microphones from the 60s/70s for the studio sessions and mostly played on early 80s instruments, as well as using both analog tapes and mixing desk. It was pretty much recorded like an old album from 40 years ago or such. I pretty much wanted to make something that was removed from the current state of music and the standardized productions that get churned out daily.

Musically speaking there are references to all of the band’s eras but it sounds very refreshing and extremely personal; it’s 100% Forgotten Tomb. The lyrics deal with several different themes but the main focus is about reaching a mental estrangement from the modern world; it’s about refusing to partake in the current state of things and finding solace in a inner world of my own where no one can enter. I’d say the lyrics and concepts on this album are extremely misanthropic, even if it’s a term that got thrown around so much over the years that it kinda lost its real meaning.

Nihilistic Estrangement will be released on May 8th 2020 via Agonia Records.

Forgotten Tomb are a mean sounding band and Nihilistic Estrangement is a mean sounding record. A little bit black, a little bit death, a little bit doom but very much all metal. Sharpened squealing guitars, deep throaty percussion and scratchy gargling vocals something to admire on opener Active Shooter. Even more so when it reveals some dark melancholic melodies.

The pair of Iris’ House Pt. I and Pt. II really see Forgotten Tomb expand on the dire doom they ply throughout the album. Slow, wandering and heavy… like an titanic slab of granite sealing your fate.

It doesn’t get any easier on the ears with Distrust, the guitar rhythm ringing through the skull like the echoes of dead voices. However that can be forgiven as the title track is simply phenomenal and a cut above everything else on the album. The slow post-like beat, the melodious guitar work and howling vocals blend so perfectly here. It’s a track that will leave you agape, such the quality.

RBMK had no hope of following that but to be fair Forgotten Tomb don’t try too. Instead, keeping it simply cold, hard and very heavy. A satisfying close to an album that is great overall but has one track that is simply better than everything else.

Forgotten Tomb – Nihilistic Estrangement Full Track Listing:

1. Active Shooter
2. Iris’ House Pt. I
3. Iris’ House Pt. II
4. Distrust
5. Nihilistic Estrangement
6. RBMK

Links

Bandcamp | Spotify | Facebook | Instagram | Agonia Records