The mind may yearn to exercise the emotions which may be deemed unworthy, to take that which is bitter and let the soul become enamored and in turn transform to its shape. We are often taught to deny that which the light shines not upon, and to cast such thoughts into the fires…but then it is within certain works of art where these carnal emotions are kept alive, without restrictions, without shackles and like the pulsating wound that flows vigorously, so too does the emotions that influence these pieces.
Frosted Undergrowth’s ‘Unchain’ extracts the seeds of pure vitriol from Black Metal, and into their own soil, a new creation is born with sounds akin to Warmoon Lord and Vargrav, Frosted Undergrowth stitches itself to the tendrils of vehemence and becomes a conduit for the soul to experience such raw and feral emotions.
Where Unchain excels can be discovered within its ability to forge an atmosphere that feels ever-changing in its malevolence, for if the bile of spit and a contemptuous mind worked in unison to shape the clay of blasphemy, the very spell evoked would be the dissonance from the strings and percussive elements. ‘Master’s Domain’ can be viewed as an example whereby the guitars are used in a manner where its undulating motion , the fever expelled from the playing, is utilized as the brick and mortar of this grand architecture. The drums however, such as on ‘Bloodshed in the name of God’ and ‘Raise the Banner’,amplifies the atmosphere created through the guitars; however, it shades the creation through a ritual cadence in the playing, oftentimes evolving a ritualistic feeling.
Amidst the same aural tide as the strings and percussive structures, the production also casts its flame, for it allows a vessel for these elements to exist, imbuing onto it a rather cavernous quality.As though the senses are entombed within a catacomb, feeling the sound ebb and flow , morphing, taking shape. However, it is the jaws of the album which commands forth the shape which is formed, the icy-like quality exhaled from this liturgy adds to Unchain a feeling of tangibility, as though now you can trace your fingers along this structure, and with eyes closed, delineate what is before the senses.
Unchain can be looked as the sword to be wielded by the soul,stained in blood, whose blade is weathered yet its bite is as strong and venomous in its language of attack, for what is carved through these noxious hymns is a weapon for the consciousness to bleed upon and relish in its vulgar delight.
