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Zifir – Demoniac Ethics

zifir – demoniac ethics

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It’s a recognisable phenomena that Black Metal can be as much an aesthetic as a style of music, but that aesthetic isn’t merely revealed in corpse paint, bullet belts and inverted crucifixes. It’s proclaimed through an antagonistic and confrontational approach which isn’t afraid to push the listener into discomfort. Whether it is from satanic themes, ancient philosophy or pure nihilistic misanthropy, it is in discomfort that Black Metal begins to engage it’s listener. Zifir bring this adversarial approach before even a note of their music has started, because they have a mantra which really struck me: “Zifir is a confession about who we are, and who you are”. They are pointing the finger directly at their listener, and their latest release Demoniac Ethics is a strong and bold attempt to embody their Black Metal aesthetic.

Zifir’s brand of Black Metal is more meditative than it is ferocious. Throughout this album there are plenty of long drawn-out chord progressions, droning tremolo guitars and a tendency towards more emphatic slower beats than the constantly flurry of blast beats Black Metal is often stereotyped with. The drumming in particular on this record is fantastically measured against the abrasive riffs. The vocals are a feverish mix of choral drones and throat shredding screams. It’s not always easy to keep this style interesting and often the listener’s concentration can be lost, but Zifir add plenty of details and layers to their caustic riffs to keep this album interesting throughout. There is a consistent focus on creating an atmosphere that is both disturbing and hypnotic in equal measure.

The tracks Empire Of Worms contrasts a mesmerizingly slow pace with a constant flow of tremolo riffs and sliding bass lines. Spirit Of Goats begins with a dense bass intro and a groovy drum beat, before delving into some classic blood-curdling guitar leads and vocals that build into a cacophony of grim screams and evil growls. They might be the best examples of Zifir’s blend of Black Metal on this record, but really this is an album that needs to be listened to as a whole. There is so much sonic consistency that the tracks reveal far more depth when they are listened to in context, and it allows the atmosphere to really develop in your mind. The production on this record is far from raw, and in many places appears quite clean and slick. However, it doesn’t go over the top in terms of studio trickery and manipulation. It feels natural and organic, although at times a little too compressed for my personal taste.

The band also bring some interesting and disturbing sonic experiments to several of the tracks. The intro track ‘Sur’ is a haunting combination of reversed guitars lines and entrancing vocals, whilst the interlude ‘An Eerie Moment’ is a succession of peculiar deep voices, weird electronic glitches and harsh jazzy guitar strokes. It helps the album maintain an aesthetic that is not wrapped in anguish and mourning, but in a vile and malevolent darkness.

I left this record feeling a hazy sense of discomfort, and even though I am not a believer in the supernatural, there was an irrevocable feeling of oneness with the dark and ancient spirit that Zifir conjure up. This is an accomplished Black Metal record that grew on me with each listen. Whilst it may not be breaking new ground within the genre, if you like the kind of atmospheric Black Metal that elicits screams of exultation rather than tears of sorrow, then you’ll enjoy this album. (Will J.)

Zifir

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