Album & EP Reviews

Merrimack – Of Grace And Gravity

Merrimack – Of Grace And Gravity
Seasons Of Mist
Release Date: 08/03/24
Running Time: 48:13
Review by Oli Gonzalez
9/10

“Jesus, they’re not playing games!”. My initial thoughts and gut reaction to hearing the opening to ‘Sulphurean Synods’, the opening track to “Of Grace And Gravity”, the latest in a decorated discography from Merrimack. They waste no time in hitting you with the most sadistic of Atmospheric Black Metal that is as vulgar as it is jaw dropping! There’s no place for aesthetics or pretty fluff here. The band are all business. A phenomenal first impression. 

With this being said, who are Merrimack? Describing themselves as ‘extreme traditionalists’, the French Black Metal act pride themselves on retaining a traditional sound that’s a throwback to the early 90s style of the genre. This is almost impossible to ignore as the band would appease fans of Marduk and Gorgoroth (the former whom Merrimack have toured with). This traditional approach has also appeased their label Seasons Of Mist who have never failed to impress me with their conveyor belt of talent, and who certainly do not sign duds. However, listen to ‘Of Grace And Gravity’ and you’ll find a wonderful post metal and atmospheric quality, much in the style of fellow countrymen Regardes Les Hommes Tomber. This can manifest in the form of a slow, bludgeoning and sadistic assault on the ear drums, or just a blatant all out frenzied high velocity attack! Blast beats, blood curdling screams, and fear-inducing guitar leads; this is everything you’d expect from a quality Black Metal record. With traditional Black Metal bands though, I fear that there will be too much of a reliance on these aforementioned elements, and some albums can sound like a 40 minute blast beat which whilst impressive technically is simply boring for the listener. As Though Merrimack have clearly done their homework here and offered a variety of rhythmic and other compositional techniques. Perhaps best illustrated in ‘Under The Aimless Spheres’. Allow yourself to be consumed and pulverised with crushing wall after crushing wall of grooves conjured up the rhythm section of Daethorn and Blastum.

This is what I find endearing about Merrimack. Despite their commitment to maintaining that traditional quality to their sound, they avoid stubbornly churning out a record from that era just for the sake of it. Instead, they’ve used modern production and compositional techniques to maximum impact to make their album relevant and avoid getting lost in the shuffle. The shuffle of many other bands in their position who are fighting for that elusive brass ring. 

All great albums have an instrumental on them, in my view. ‘Embalmer’s Wine’ fits that bill, and allows you to become fully engrossed in the musical experience, with this wave of Black Metal washing over you and cleansing your very soul. This was an experience. One I’m certainly going to be in a hurry to return to! Just like the rest of this album. Another French gem unearthed. I seriously want to know what’s going on in that country and why so many quality metal bands are emerging from there; Alcest, Hypno5e, Gojira, Nekrowretch, Celeste…and countless more! All bands who have incredible touring pedigrees and have appeared on countless festival line ups. Festival lineups that I can see Merrimack appear on in the very near future. Especially with records like this backing them up. 

TRACKLISTING:
01. Sulphurean Synods                              
02. Sublunar Despondency                        
03. Dead and Distant Clamors                    
04. Wounds that Heal                                  
05. Starving Crowns                                    
06. Under the Aimless Spheres                  
07. Embalmer’s Wine                   

LINE-UP:
Perversifier ‐ Guitars 
A.K. – Guitars 
Blastum – Drums 
Vestal – Vocals 
Daethorn – Bass

LINKS:

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