Profane Burial's 'Desolate Echoes of Turmoil' is a symphony of contrasting elements, a cold embrace amidst the scorching summer heat. The album, a collaboration between members of renowned bands like Borknagar, Trollfest, Funeral, and Haimad, presents a unique blend of symphonic black metal and progressive black metal with harsh vocals. It's a journey through the frigid fjords of Norway, where the harshness of nature meets the harshness of sound.
The album's opening track, 'Den Fortaptes Krønike', sets the tone with a soothing, melodic guitar passage, luring listeners into a false sense of calm before the violent pounce of blackened blast beats. Bjørn Dugstad Rønnow's drumming showcases a varied approach, employing frequent tempo changes that keep the listener on edge. The strings, played by André Aaslie, weave through emotive, soaring guitar solos, lurching single-note riffs, and harmonized melodic lines, adding a layer of complexity to the music.
However, the album's true challenge lies in its fragmented structure. Passages of isolated piano, grandiose symphonies, and choirs appear throughout, but they often feel like out-of-place guests rather than integral parts of the aural landscape. The sudden shifts between starkly contrasting sections, with minimal or absent segues, create a battered listening experience, bouncing the listener between chaotic black metal and refined symphonic segments.
The penultimate track, 'Horror Code, Pt 2', stands out for its natural transitions and unified approach. The interplay of weeping guitar melodies and backing vocal chorus creates a melancholic atmosphere, providing a reprieve from the fragmentation of the preceding tracks. Yet, even this track is not immune to the album's overall disjointedness.
Despite the talent and ideas on display, the album's cohesion suffers. The lack of a cohesive narrative or thematic thread leaves listeners with a dizzying and often frustrating experience. It's as if the heat has melted the listener's brain, unable to comprehend the frozen vision of Profane Burial's music.
In conclusion, 'Desolate Echoes of Turmoil' is a fascinating yet frustrating album, a symphony of contrasts that leaves a lasting impression. It's a testament to the band's ambition and creativity, but the fragmented structure and lack of cohesion may leave some listeners feeling lost in the frigid fjords of their own confusion.
