I stumbled onto this channel via a recent video and was impressed by that selection, a song from Dordeduh. I expected to see the usual Metallic, Judas Priest and Pantera videos but nope! He had already done a full MGLA album reaction and even Portal lol. Good stuff here.
Mgla gives me hope. Finding this album years ago really helped me to not feel so lonely in the world. I felt like I finally met, through their music, some people that vent through a long and difficult process of getting to terms with Existence. Which is simply given to us AS IS. And all we are left to do is grasping at anything that can give us a smallest modicum of respite from the fear of life and inevitable death. Faith, money, sex, community, family, career, spirituality. It's all a poison, really. You just have to be honest about it and pick which one tastes sweeter to you. At the end of it all meaning is what we give to the world. But non can be derived from the world itself. It simply exists, indifferent to our struggle. And there is comfort in accepting that.
well said. I've gone through a lot of grief and loss during last several years. I've been quite nihilistic even before it all started, but now it's even more so. I feel somewhat disconnected from most of the people I know. Listening to mgla does make me feel less lonely though. It makes me appreciate the fact that there are people out there seeing reality for what it really is.
@@DiveTheseClips there is no reality. We are just animals, the matter that moves. Some have an easy and kinda happy life ,some struggle. There is no reality, we are just a matter
@@vladyslavserdiuk2893 I share the view that we are just matter that moves, fuelled by the illusion of free will. But I'm not sure how this implies that there's no reality. You can be a bunch of matter within reality, there's no contradiction between the two.
Great album reaction !! The artwork represents a blind man trying to reach something but he will never achieve it. The painting is from the year 1908 and is called "The Blind". Made by French painter Marcel Roux. Greeting from Cordoba, Argentina.
"There is something about the rigid posture of a proper, authentic blind As if extended arms reached to pass his blindness on to others" in Exercises in Futility I
You caught unto the exact feeling I felt while listening to MGLA for the first time, this upbeat yet hopeless feeling. Its very hard to describe, but I guess thats what I would call it. Positively nihilistic. Happy nihilism.
Pessimistic nihilism: "Regardless of our actions or intent thereof, we are doomed anyway" -> :( Optimistic nihilism: "Regardless of our actions or intent thereof, we are doomed anyway" -> :)
And III is for me best track in this masterpiece of original & beautiful music . Love it , completely different than rest of BM bands . Thanks for breakdown, I couldn’t do it but it was very interesting to hear your breakdown. Also I want to thank you for real reaction without making faces or overreacting like most of reaction TH-cam videos.
This is legit my single favorite album of all time, in any genre. It's so perfect start to finish, every piece in its proper place, clear creative vision and example of a specific style, executed perfectly by the musicians.
First off, this video is my first encounter with your channel. You are incredibly intelligent, highly aware, emotionally in touch, and well - spoken. You're well-versed in a number of topics whether it be philosophical/ religious references or musical composition/ production.. etc. etc. and I must say that THAT was SUCH a breath of fresh air for me. I find it incredibly frustrating to watch all these modern day reaction videos where everyone is doing nothing except making these over the top forced faces for thumbnails and pausing every 10 seconds to babble on about inconsequential this that and the others before wrapping up with a "dont' forget to like comment and subscribe." That resonates with lots of people, and to each their own, but for me, THIS, despite not agreeing with everything you said, is exactly what I'd hope for in a reaction video. Musical analysis, lyrical content, interpretation, understanding of music in general as well as the specific genre. etc... Something that I find interesting is your overall conclusion. Actually, let me set the stage for that comment: There was a point at the end where you mentioned it's a big jump for the lyricist to go from "Just because there is no afterlife doesn't mean that this life is meaningless." For me, I find it interesting that you go from this is light and fun and I want to dance to it to man I'm exhausted and this is draining and I never want to listen to this album again. That, to me, thought quite possibly honest, felt like an unjustified swing. Now you could be speaking accurately and if so I have a couple of thoughts on that: My first thought is that, you are potentially misassociating the exhaustion of being mentally engaged for 2 hours and doing a deep dive into an album and a billion of its elements with the actual album itself. You seem like a highly self aware individual so I'll leave you to discern how much was the album and how much of the exhaustion was actually the REVIEW (that happened to be about an album.) My second thought is that if you truly feel like you never want to listen to it again, where does that come from? The lyrical analysis? It seems like your largest qualm wasn't with the musical content itself but rather disagreeing with nihilism itself. I'm curious to know how much weight each thing goes into you liking music. It's easy to just say "Oh I like what I like" but I know you're deeper than that. Additional thoughts/ perspective: For me, I'm a Christian and religious affiliation aside, I just love life. I'm whatever the opposite of nihilism is haha. I just love being here and exploring the infinity of it all. For me it's like: Okay so even if there IS nothing on the other side. What about it? It's gonna be a blast while I'm here! and I'm going to enjoy making it a blast for as many people as possible along the way. (Not in some hedonistic sort of way) But that belief in no way lessens my appreciation for the album. There is light and there is dark. Being awake during the day is cool but being up at night is exhilerating. There is hope and there is futility. Both are equally valid components to life itself. The album's progression further and further into the futility of it all FOR ME is no different from exploring any ideaology by playing devil's advocate. It EXCITES me, if that makes sense. The way the album paints this bleak existence, in such a philosophical and artistic way lights up my brain and makes me feel like I can better understand the place some people live in. It makes me feel powerful in being better able to relate. Like I literally feel POWERFUL listening to this album, not drained. With regards to the repetitive nature of certain songs, I actually love that. I and VI are my two favorites on the album but on VI, that repitition moves the music from a "song" . . . . . . to a PLACE. . . . . if that makes sense?.... a place to exist. To soak. You're no longer in a phrase. Or a chorus. You're in a ... . .space. . . . to just exist. The progressions push you forward. They are driving with more focus than earlier in the album but the intent doesn't feel hostile to me. Idk it's hard to explain, it just takes me to a place where there is nothing. You just get to exist and this "wall of sound" shields you from the outside.... unneccessary thoughts. responsibility. everything. For a few minutes you get to be washed over by the melodies as the drums frantically shield you from all else. So it's interesting because in that regard, the music creates this, in some ways, nihilistic, place where you get to exist as nothing BUT in that, behind that veil of music, in that void, there IS a peace to be found. A quiet. A freedom. This is a long read for many but I have a feeling you'll appreciate the discourse and perspective 😉😂😂😂😂😂😂 ANYWAY!!! Much love to anyone reading this comment! I wish all of you the best as you explore all that this "futile existence" has to offer! 😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂
Thanks for all of the kind words. I'm so glad this type of long form analysis resonates with people. I started this project as a way to merge informative reaction channels (like Garrett Miller Drums) with scripted song breakdowns (like 12tone). My earliest videos are quite a bit shorter but I was strictly analyzing the music -- no production, no lyrics, no philosophy. My community has continuously challenged me to improve my understanding of all aspects of music and have given me a lot of information about a variety of topics over the last 2 years of making these. A my knowledge has grown, I've been able to incorporate more topics in to the videos. In more ways than one, I'm only able to make videos like this one because of my community. As for my fatigue, I have plenty of evidence to show that Black Metal songs like this overwhelm my senses and make me mentally fatigued in other reaction. I've also done a 3h33m album breakdown and didn't get fatigued during that. That's not to say that there weren't any outside variables that could have caused my fatigue, but the point where it began to drain me also happened to line up with the point of the album where the repetition started to kick into overdrive and the fun cymbals where used less and less. And that leads right into your perspective -- you find the repetition freeing. This is something I've heard from a lot of fans of the genre, that the relentless notes and weight push them into a meditative state. In your case it sounds like you even reach a state of something similar to nirvana; that deepest state of mental clarity where the song takes you places. And I think that's awesome. There's certainly a part of me that's envious of that capability 😅 But I get the exact opposite feelings from repetitive, fuzzy, heavy music. It makes me anxious and it feels like an immense pressure is applied to me. The first few tracks gave me some moving melodies and dancing cymbal work to focus on but those last two -- that was sheer bleakness; just a static, heavy, constant weight applied to me. And yeah, I feel exhausted by the end of it. Of the topic of the albums themes: yeah I have no problem with using art to explore dark or taboo topics (as long as it's done with care) and this album does a fantastic job of sonically exploring the concept of nihilism. Thanks for this excellent comment! It's always neat to hear other people's perspectives regarding art. Especially when their experience is so different from mine.
In track VI, the lines "self-crucified, missed the right tree, tore the wrong eye out..." is a reference to the Odin myth, who "crucified" himself on the world tree to gain knowledge of other worlds, and he tore his "right" eye out and sacrificed it to Ymir for wisdom of the runes. The chorus is basically saying "i've sacrificed everything for nothing and tearing the wrong eye out i've gained ignorance, therefore i deserve to suffer". Mgla's main theme is and has always been nihilism, even their other project Kreigsmaschine is primarily focuses on nihilism. Like the title of the album, life is an exercise in futility.
This is an absolutely phenomenal reaction. You are able to come upon through your analysis the core of what many of us fans of Mgla feel very very decisively yet can't put our fingers on. It is beautifully therapeutic music for many who struggle with life. It leaves us, despite the nihilistic vocals, with very real senses of hope. I'm in awe how you came upon this through analysis of the cymbal work but that really is it. There is something very fun and beautiful there to enjoy...if we can just overcome that drone of nihilism. Profound representation of depression.
Love the detailed review of this gem. The drummer's a trained xylophone player, thus the intricate cymbal works. They're amazing live! Check out the drum video footage (heaps on youtube) it's mesmerizing!
@@TheOneWayDownBut if the only truth is that there's not one, then the assertion that there's no truth is not true either. So, it's not true that there's no truth either.
Don't let that be your reality. Mgla music is full of hope and beauty. And, as they say in their lyrics, there's no truth, but the meaning we give to life. Therefore, it's not true that dreams don't come true. I know life can suck, but there's beauty in the struggle.
i think "contentment in nihilism" may be the feeling. the album is extremely misanthropic, but in an almost gleeful defiance of humanity's arrogance. a self indulgent joy in rejecting the search for meaning as futile.
Also Europe... They normally learn English in school along with their native language so most Europeans do actually speak pretty decent English at the very least
It sort of varies across the Europe. These folks are from Poland, and I guess they're of the age where they've been the first generation after the fall of eastern bloc that were taught English in school. This essentially means they have a good formal understanding of the correct grammar (ironically often better than the native speakers who go with their intuition and also use slang). Generally the people where the movies are subtitled instead of dubbed tend to have a better pronunciation. This is why the Dutch sound so good. Among the Slavs this is a mixed bag -- most seem to pay a lot of attention to do good dubbing, but unless I'm mistaken, poles don't. The third thing is the richness of vocabulary. I think for this sort of poetry it is the most crucial part. My guess is that whoever wrote these lyrics reads a lot.
This is one of those albums that I still remember where I was and what I was doing when I first listened to it. I think Exercises in Futility IV is my favorite
A little late to this party, but if I could recommend some bm, I'd recommend you stormkeep - tales of the othertime, panopticons - kentucky , Cult of Fire - Ascetic Meditation of Death. A non black metal album that is 100% worth your time is never cross the dead by hooded menace
If you want the full experience of Darkside's drumming, listen to Kriegsmaschine. It's a side project of the Mgla members, but with a heavy focus on groove. Their first album is still more oldschool but Enemy Of Man and Apocalypticists are absolute masterclasses in drumming.
one of my favs bm albums in recent years. The care and attention to detail that went into the music and lyrics makes the album feel very purposeful, which makes it kinda ironic. I love it
Great album. I love how the intensity increases throughout the album. I find the last 2 tracks finish the album perfectly and the increased intensity almost makes it uplifting for me. Not a huge BM fan but this is one of my favourite BM albums and one of the albums which made me more interested in BM.
It's a great album by one of the best black metal bands in the last 15 years. Since this band is from Poland it reminds me of another polish black metal band called Batushka, their album Litourgiya from 2015 (same year as this album) is also very good and different since the lyrics and imagery are about orthodox christianity but of course from the black metal perspective so that would be an interesting listen.
Yeah, this is basically a Nihilist manifesto. It's not about that we're all doomed, it's that there's no greater meaning. Nihilism is not fatalism, which is important to remember. Several songs deal with Anomie, which is a sort of transitional state to nihilism. It's when you "discover" or "realize" the truth that there are not really any rules or any meaning to the human condition. It's not about religion specifically, although religion always deal in those greater truths, so it naturally sits pretty well in the theme.
I don't think you ever completely lose that feeling of being mentally drained during those long stretches of repetition, but you do start to develop a huge positive feedback loop after a while. I guess you could compare it to a physical workout.
@@CriticalReactions Definitely. Take the repetition in Exercises In Futility VI starting around the five and a half minute mark for example. That shit gets better and better for me as time goes on. It gives me the chills.
Very interesting that you find the last two tracks draining. I really enjoy them along with the rest of the album and don't really feel that at all. Some of my favourite riffs from the album are in them. Really enjoyed the reaction though!
I think you hit the nail on the head when you realize that BM is not really a strict musical genre, but rather a specific mindset or style in which you can make lots of different music. You've honestly mostly listened to pretty boring BM that began the genre, but even at the beginning you had shining examples of excelence that made very interesting music. I honestly believe that a lot of the classics created the vibe and established the atmosphere, but were not very interesting otherwise. We love them because they ARE the classics. But then others came along and created very interesting music afterewards, to the point where BM is arguably the most varied genre in metal today, simply due to unlimited creativity! I absolutely adore this album. It is a modern classic and has a strong unique identity. I LOVE Darkside's drumming and I enjoy the simple melodic ideas thorughout the album. It is an example of the depth the genre enjoys honestly, which is rarely found in other genres of metal, simply because others are far more rigidly defined. I LOVE other gneres of metal as well, probably like death metal the most out of all music genres period, but have to give BM the credit where it is due. For more interesting BM albums with a wide range of different ideas, I highly recommend: 1. At the Heart of Winter by Immortal. Some of the best riffing in metal, Abbath is an incredible guitarist. The production is strong and the album is generally melodically interesting, while never sacrificing the atmosphere. It is an incredibly FUN album, but can also be meaningful to the listener. 2. Storm of the Light's Bane by Dissection. Again, incredible guitar work and was part of the Gothenburg scene in the 90s, where melodic death metal was born, so this album caries a lot of that influence from the scene. It is also one of the OGs in the scene, so yeah. Very simliar to Immortal's album in what it accomplishes, but has a different sound and different ideas. It is arguably my favorite album of all time, battling the likes of Death's Symbolic or Opeth's Blackwater Park. 3. Anthems to the Welkin at Dusk by Emperor. An incredibly interesting album with tons of fun guitar work, stunning synth work and melodic ideas that bring goosebumps! But it is HEAVY, with tons of parts that just assail your ears. Honestly, if I had to choose one album I would LOVE you to review, it would be this one. 4. 1184 by Windir. Again an interesting album with fantastic ideas and the albums is full of musical ideas that make you WAU, at least it does for many many of us! But it leans more into the atmospheric side of things, without it being boring or too repetative, except for the few important parts, where the repetiton is absoultely neccessary and magic happens. 5. Isa by Enslaved. Speaking of proggy stuff in BM, this is the classic(... and Anthems by Emperor, which I mentioned above ofc). This is a fun album drawing heavily from the viking culture, but is contrasted with lots of complex ideas that make you HUH and intrigue you. It takes a while to fully enjoy these parts, but man the album is big and all together it is an experience worth having. 6. Lawless Darkness by Watain. Simply a masterful BM album that sticks true to the roots, HOWEVER executes it all with tons of wild music! It takes what the classics were doing and does it all with musical depth. Kind of like what say Death did later with Human. The album closer, Waters of Ain, is a modern BM masterpiece. All of those 14 minutes and 30 seconds are justified to me. 7. Enthrone Darkness Triumphant by Dimmu Borgir. People love to shit on Borgir these days, but they forget the peak the band enjoyed. This is symphonic black metal in every sense of the term with fantastic production. Again, an incredibly fun album that will simply brighten your day. Love fantasy? Love metal? You will love this album. 8. Sronttgorrth by Nagelfar. This is a lesser known album by a German band that only has 3 albums and then they disbanded after they felt like they reached their creative limit as this particular band. The drummer later went on to create the band called Ruins of Beverast, which is very popular now! It is a long album with songs that frequiently go into the 15th minute, so I doubt you will ever review this one, but here is my attempt to pitch it. First of all, this album perfects the black metal sound. It is difficult to find a better sounding black metal album when you are looking for the "perfect black metal sound". Furthermore, this album is very interesting as it incorprates A TON of electronic music and industiral sounds. The guitar work is fantastic and in general every track will surprise you with at least something wild. This is one of a kind and I recomend at least reacting to a song of theirs, say Kapitel 3 or Kapitel 4(electronic track with strong metal influences! I LOVE this track to death). 9. The Dwelling by Sabbat. This is a first wave black metal masterpiece from Japan on more of a proggier side of things. It is first wave, which means it at times sounds like thrash metal, but generally it has the BM style. A TON going on on this album and is still one of my favorite albums of all time! It is a single 60 minute song that musically takes you on a journey. 10. Aura by Saor. Finally an atmospheric black metal album that doesn't get bogged down too much in boring repetition. There is repetition here, don't get me wrong, but this band incorporates tons of folk instruments, but honeslty also has fantastic guitar work and drumming, where riffing is not just boring trem picking all the time. I could also include the heavier and more dissonant stuff, which can be honestly absolutely incredible and interesting, but IDK if that is something you are interested in. If you are, I recommend Deathspell Omega and Blut Aus Nord, as well as Leviathan.
Wow, great comment. Awesome explanations of the songs and a bit of the history throughout. I’d agree. Most of first wave seemed more like a prototype of BM. I don’t listen to much, but can see how the foundation was laid both music and the ethos. Second wave was what started to stick. I really loved Emperor- the extra event arrangements and they really seemed to be pushing the boundaries of what traditional BM was. I also loved Darkthrone and enslaved (they have a different sound now but still enjoy them). For me, I started dabbling in other “blackened” genres- blackened deathcore, death, doom, etc- and some subgenres- blackgaze, atmospheric black, psychedelic black in particular. It all started to click from there. I saw BM act as both a foundation on which to build from or a “seasoning” to sprinkle on top. At least for me, it always seemed it was missing something by itself (Relates to Bryan’s point in the video). Today, I still prefer some of these blackened blends, but go back to the older or rawer stuff sometimes too. Most of the recs I know but don’t know all. I’ll be checking them out!
To say black metal is a mindset is a very good description. A key element of black metal is complete artistic freedom. That's why labelling bands simply according to the musical elements is redundant when talking about BM. (my opinion, but I'm not alone in this). Already at the very beginnings of the Norwegian scene everyone was encouraged to do their own thing and not copy each other. The results are for all to hear: none of the early classics resemble each other too much. Darkthrone, Mayhem, Emperor, Immortal and all the others had their own distinct styles. These of course have been copied a thousand times over since then, but luckily there are always bands like mgla that have their own degree of excellence :)
BM simply isn't about "colour"... 😉 (But there can still be beauty in black & white art. I think it's the melancholy in this that's beautiful. But there's certainly "fun stuff" in the "intricacy" and "inventiveness" sense.)
Just jotting down my thoughts as I listen to yours. 1) Mgla is unusually good - that may be the case here why you actually like this. 2) Sure you can find death pop. 3) ,Yeah, some eagles are pretty much scavengers since they are not so fast and agile as to catch small prey, but big enough to take it from, say, a falcon. 4) The drummer, Darkside, is fantastic. As you've noticed. 5) Saw them live at Brutal Assault in 2016, but at that time I was mostly impressed by the constant tremolo picking by the guitarists. There's a beautiful flow in these songs. 6) This is like the 3rd wave of black metal. A lot of things happened along the way. 7) Fast alternating between snare and bass drum = blast beats. (Actually, the bass is usually not alternating). 8) The live concert was very evident tremolo picking rather than just a "sound". 9) The widely popular live drum cam video of Darkside playing V certainly has a playfulness and focus of cymbals, 10) in the last track, everything sounds so much more despair and lost hope. More intense and at the same time more "having given up". I like this intensity. Not that I'm giving up in a peronal level. Just takling music here. 11) Being a strong atheist myself, your review just made me love this album even more. 12) I think the emphais is on the a in Mgla, like Mglá. 13) Understanding the world is the first step towards making it better. 14) This album doesn't make me depressed. Quite the opposite. 15) My life in the now matters. 16) The band have been denied playing planned concerts because of ties to NSBM.
This was the first black metal album that I listened to in full! Still one of the only ones that don’t bore me eventually! As a drummer, this album is also sooo inspiring with how the cymbals are used. It just takes it up a notch!
What a lovely review! That was a pleasure to listen to alongside you. I'm not always in the mood for pure BM, but MGLA is certainly a great choice if that's what you're in the mood for. And yeah, the drummer, Darkside, is an absolute beast. I'm certainly not an expert or even a novice when it comes to drumming technique, but he's got to be one of the best in the business. Him playing Exercises in Futility V live is always a pleasure. His cymbal-work is absolutely bonkers, man. And yeah, he's playing both sides of the kit: th-cam.com/video/wcsTJ1n2jkE/w-d-xo.html&ab_channel=DrummersFromHellPL
Love your black metal analysis videos. I recommend Mysþyrming - Með svipur á lofti It is hi-fi and very unique. Also the final 2 tracks of this mgla album has biblical references. Vin and sori reacted to those tracks and explained it.
"The great truth is there isn't one" But many people live happy, blissful of that fact. This guy knows the great truth, and it has taken his bliss away
@@CriticalReactionsWe don't live in a blissful world. Majority of people on this planet live in poverty. Science figured out a long time ago that there is no God or meaning to any of this.
One of the best modern black metal bands in my opinion. They’re so accessible yet still very true to black metal roots and atmosphere. I love their clear rock n roll influences. Their melodies are incredibly textured and catchy. Definitely my favorite album by them.
Your thoughts right at the beginning after the first listen are so cool to hear. Same thoughts I've had before. I don't think it matters. There's great sounds out there that make you question your tastes; and those are the good ones.
Hey, I think Emperor - Anthems to the Welkin at Dusk would be a very interesting black album for you to analyze, there is a hell lot of going on, symphonic/orchestral elements, lots of changeups, varied compositions, etc.
To me, nihilism represents freedom. Yeah, the logical implications are grim yes, but at the same time the implications extend to perceived misery as well. Why should one worry about earthly stuff at all, gods, fate, lack of this and that when at the end of the day - it is all about horseshit of our making?
For me, you're referring more to existentialism than nihilism. Nihilism can't represent freedom in any form. Nihilism is the negation of every value and the search for it.
I'm glad you did this! Yes the drumming is so fantastic that honestly I probably listened to only the cymbals the first 3 times I listened to this album. I do think that the last track is a bit much on the repetitive side and I honestly have listened to it less than the others because I think after V I am completely exhausted. Part IV and V are the highlights for me and the cymbals and some of the tremolo somehow have a bit positivity in the middle of the darkness from the lyrics and the singing. I listen to IV a lot when I am frustrated at work and just need to let off some steam. Check out Kriegsmaschine - Residual Blight if you want to hear more insane drumming from Darkside.
There is an amazing video of Fenriz (Darkthrone) laying out on a chalkboard, the history of the creation of black metal (starting with Black Sabbath roots) and goes through examples of bands in the subgenres. VERY informative especially for those just getting into black metal.
For starters, about the clear production, there are so many styles of black metal these days. For example, check out some latest albums from bands like Schammasch, Mephorash, Decline Of The I, Laster, Temple Koludra, White Ward etc......
Thy darkened shade and kaatayra are comming up in near future… ill put up a couple more for him end of this month, schammasch is a very strong contender!
I've been looking forward to you diving deep into Mgla and its finally here and i couldn't believe it is a full album review. Although they do have great live/session members its a 2 men show of Darkside on drums and M with rhytm guitars, lead vocals, lyrics and rest of the composition while Darkside reigns supreme and mostly leads on and drives the songs. They also have another, studio only band called Kriegsmaschine. Kriegsmaschine is a lot darker in atmosphere and Darkside goes even crazier on drums with insane patterns which i can't wait for you to discover eventually. The 'Enemy of Man' album from KSM is one of my all time favorites from this duo.
I will never get tired of Exercises in Futility V. The pulsating wall of guitar, the mercury rain of cymbals. Repetitive, sure, but therefore borderline hypnotozing. One of the best in the genre IMO.
Fascinating how different people perceive music. I've listened to the Album probably 100+ Times. I'd say it's my favourite album and especially Eif VI still gives me goosbumps every time. It makes me feel kinda euphoric in a melancholic way if that makes Sense. Still enjoyed your reaction tho.
Great analysis. Good to see composer's perspective. But man if you say this is emotionally and mentally draining try listening to Kriegsmaschine's Apocalypticists album. Kriegsmaschine is another band with Mgła members. Darker, complicated and... darker and emotionally draining and exhausting. Honestly I consider Mgła as happy side of these people. When I first listened to Apocalypticists I really couldn't understand it. My mind needed couple of playthroughs to get what they're trying to say by this music. Now I think I know what it is. This is basically a soundtrack that would play if the world was going to an end. I would love to see your reaction on it.
I correlate the overall representation of nihilism throughout the album as human life itself; as you grow and experience life when you are a child you are very playful and light hearted. So as you grow old things become…
I'm late, however, this is the reason (one of many) why this is my favourite "reaction" channel, thank you for this! Also, as for the black metal speech, I'd say some of the previous recommendations might got you used to very lo-fi, raw obscure sound when it comes to black metal, but as a matter of fact, these days there is most likely more "hi-fi" black metal music than "lo-fi", with much richer and cleaner (yet still gritty) production that is far from the first/second wave black metal sound. And being that black metal community has a lot of purists in it, you can except being recommended a lot of very harsh, raw and inaccessible stuff that is of course crucial to the genre but not necessarily the best introduction to the genre! Black Metal is a massive genre with tons of sub-genres and hybrids that often completely shift the entire sound and atmosphere of the music, but the more you explore it, the more you realize that there is much more to it than meets the eye, that's why it's so fascinating!
This entire week has been devouted to higher-fi Black Metal and I've had a fun trip exploring this side of the genre. And you're right, it's massive. I think a lot of that comes from the simplicity in the "purest" aspects of the genre. It allows for more creative liberties than other metal genres.
Easily a top 10 album for me. I view the bright cymbals being at the top of the mix and standing out above as a metaphor for happiness, peace, or prosperity being above your head and just out of reach and the rest of the music is constantly trying to reach for it just like the blind man in the painting/album art. This realization gave this album a whole new level of meaning for me. Always just out of reach. “Self-crucified, missed the right tree.”
hey, i just stumbled across your channel tonight, you cover some interesting bands, this one really peaked my interest as someone also slightly late to the black metal party, who loves MGLA. (i used to hate black metal, but in the last 10 years it's all i really listen to! weird) it's a fascinating genre, especially the more atmospheric stuff. i'm less inclined towards the 'satanic' stuff, although emperor,darkthrone and mayhem are obviously legends, i have quite an extensive obscure collection and can recommend some stuff that might be up your street if you're interested.
Enjoyed the review thoroughly. Just a reminder though, English isn't these guy's first language so reading the lyrics might seem a bit off. It did for me but I still understand what they're getting at.
So happy you checked out mgla. They are one of my most appreciated black metal bands. I also love what you said about black metal being a texture rather than the genre itself; i bet you will love dynamic and groovy side of black metal that youre yet to experience! Ive been avoiding black metal for 7-8 years while listening to mainly melodic death metal, and only in the past 3-4 years ive been delving into black metal and it has become one of my dearest musical expressions of today. Its extremely varied, rooted in atmosphere/groove and dynamics, so im looking forward to getting your musical standpoint of bands that i really love
You could think of the cymbals as you, the person. The Lyrical content and the other rigidness of the music is the Nihilistic influence on you. By the end of album at the last track, you've finally seen the truth and it's all nothing, you're now part of it.
One of my most favourite albums which got me really deep into black metal. Mgła shows that black metal can be crisp and tight yet still retain the coldness and harshness of classic BM. I remember hearing track 5 on metal internet radio and listening to all of Mgła's catalogue right after that. Absolutely awesome. Plus the drummer is a legend. Suggestions for future: 1. Panopticon "Kentucky" :D 2. Batushka "Litourgiya"
Part V: You have to look at humanity as flawed, inherently bad to understand it. The professions of Stone cutter, Carpenter, an iron worker just do their jobs. But it is used to inflict evil. The other qualities do not need any outside source. Part VI: Read up on Norse mythology. Odin ripped his own eye out to see.
I love these reactions. If you like this sort of black metal you should check out Djevel's Naa skrider natten sort. I'd love to see a reaction of that.
Great job listening to the whole album! Definitely a gateway album into more Mgla. You should really check out drumcam videos of these songs, especially EiF V. The drummer's work is incredible. Regarding the themes, I think you definitely caught on to the playfulness and almost cheerful absurdity of some of the tracks. Just like with a lot of things, you don't necessarily have to agree with their philosophy completely in order to appreciate their work.
Mgła musicians have also second project called Kriegsmaschine, its even more blead and depressing but worth checking out, Apocalypticists is masterpiece
BTW from the lyrics, at like 36:10 you are wondering about the eagles and scavenging; it very possibly means vultures, 'cause in many of our northern european languages the word for Vulture is a ... well it's type of an eagle. For finnish Vulture is straightly translated "A crow-eagle". The band probably uses the word "eagles" as a synonym that the scavengers are representing themselves as high and mighty. As a nord, I never saw any weirdness in this part, but yeah, it's a language thing. This is my understanding only, of course.
So cool to hear you talk about the wall of sound from BM. It's the ambience of Black Metal that originally drew me in. There are some really great Death Metal bands that do something similar too - but they're just as difficult to get into for most folks as Black metal can be. I like to think of the wall of sound as a challenge for the listener to draw out the individual sounds and instruments, to pick out the beauty in the roughness. Like taking a long and difficult hike to a perfect look off, where everything comes together and you feel elation and accomplishment at the same time.
If you want some fascinating and artistic black metal than I can't recommend enough Altar of Plagues. Teeth Glory & Injury or Mammal are one of the best albums in existence
I've been enjyoing MGŁA's albums for few years now, and i am always glad to see other people discover their work. I fully agree on the black metal part - i always had it in my mind that BM has a lot of flavor to it, arguably more than musical nuances and stylistics that could differ it from other subgenres; altough over last few years i've been trying to avoid discussing subgenres since it feels like exercise in futility itself, heh. Both guys do such an amazing job in the band, and you've seen the famous drumcam already so yeah, no need for me to convince you even more (altough if you ever find some spare time, this is a great live - th-cam.com/video/iCAvAOFf0P8/w-d-xo.html ; you might notice that guys just want to play the tracks a bit faster just because they can). Last bit - i do not know how it is with certain Polish metal bands, but a lot of them feel very nostalgic to me; MGŁA or Behemoth can intertwine from time to time some clean guitars, drum grooves or power chords into their songs that instantly give me late 80's-90's Polish punk rock/ hardcore metal vibes. Lot of bands here who play less harsh music keep their lyrics dirty, norm-breaking or just straight up mundane and funny just because it's something that doesn't strike everyone as cliche thing to put in metal, yet they are celebrated and followed by a lot of fans. I guess years of punk culture left a lot of itself in our music and it just carries on, heh. Cheers friend, i enjoyed the breakdown and thank you for pointing lot's of nuances to your viewers. This is a quality content :)
Good morning from New England..Im not usually into Black Metal but there's just something about this band...I saw a live drum cam vid and this guy is on par with Mario Duplantier..It's very doomy Black Metal...Overall a strong performance all around..Peace from the Northeast..Btw I think your ear is just getting used to the overall timber of this type of music..Thx
I highly recommend checking out the rest of their discography. Especially some of the early EPs. Mgla as a whole is just a masterclass into melodic black metal, and if you really get into them you can checkout their slightly more eclectic side project 'Kriegsmaschine'. It's a little more experimental/avante garde but still black metal, since it's studio only it also has some crazy drums. Lastly, Mgla production as a whole is really good so it makes it much more palatable to the ear.
Thanks! I have a bunch of long form videos about music from all over the genre spectrum. I'm sure you'll find some other breakdowns that you'll enjoy too!
Incredible album, the percussion is so integral to the composition, providing not only pleasant ornamentation but even groove, which i don't come across much. Not to mention the guitar harmonies and the over songwriting/lyrics in general.. love mgla! ( which in polish is pronounced 'muh-gwah') ="fog"
Stumbled upon this review by chance. I love full album reviews. Even more so when they're so insightful. This album was in my rotation for over 3 years. Haven't listened again since the controversy. Still a fantastic album. May I suggest another Polish BM album with to my knowledge no ties to NS or adjacent BM. Or RABM for that matter: Entropia - Ufonaut
I started my black metal journey from this album...for nearly a year played every day was so addicted..I'm not into nihilism but agree with so points...what blast me in this album was mixture desperation, happiness and hopelessness...atmosphere and drums plus lyrics making this album one of best in rock history to me..I'm in all music from Bob Marley to Architects...always cord was heavy metal...like power metal, death metal, doom , name it...but always use to hate black metal in age of 47 I fell in love in this genre..discovering more and more every day... Great review!!! agree with majority especially about lyrics layers...although think nr VI is more between the lines telling of relationship .. mr M ( music, lyrics, guitar) hes father was quite famous polish actor committed suicide in pick of hes career maybe that fact influence hes music in some way.
Minenwerfer - Der Blutharsch is an amazing first track off their album and another layer of black metal that I think you would enjoy. Also if you want to touch some blackened death metal, Belphegor has been doing it at the highest level for years and years. Love all your black metal videos so much.
After stumbling upon this video and watching the whole thing. I felt like writing out a couple things. You understood the reference to the blind man as referring to those who do not subscribe to nihilism. However I would think the concept is actually the opposite. The "blind man spreading his blindness onto others" refers to the song writer/narrator. In an interview he described himself as "spiritually challenged". In his own words this is what he said about it: "Look at the latest album cover artwork, it shows a blind man reaching for something but gripping nothing. If you add the pieces together - the spiritual outlook that’s been reflected in MGŁA, you’ll find that we genuinely would like to connect to something - to relate to something metaphysical, yet all we grasp is black void." In general the album doesn't come off to me as a celebration of nihilism. Instead I see it more as a resignation after a long (ultimately futile) journey trying to find some kind of metaphysical meaning. Thus the references to various different religions and mythologies. In general I feel like it's not "I'm nihilist and proud of it", instead its "I tend towards nihilism because after a lifetime of searching I've found nothing else."
If I may make a recommendation I really think you would enjoy emperors with strength I burn especially the live video from wacken 2006 I think it sounds even better than the studio version 🤘
When I first started getting into BM, this was the first album that really just floored me. Its such an interesting sound that's so hypnotic and heavy. I love that you mentioned the idea of the cymbals being this brightness that kind of contradicts the lyrics. I've always thought of them as that bit of humanity that doesn't let you get completly consumed by this dark and meaningless haze, even if you belive it. But by the last drive of the album, the cymbals aren't dancing like in I, II and V, its more militant. It's not exactly happy but it's still going. Its exactly what I love about the genre, it can be so bleak but so beautiful at the same time
What a Great Reaction... The only reaction that is worth watching... Thank you for the thorough analysis. I Would Love to see you react and analyze an album by Deathspell Omega. Believe me you won't be disappointed.
Mgła reaction? Full album? Two hour video? You spoil us.
Thanks so much for that. Tons of great info about BM and general and some great starting places for my journey.
I stumbled onto this channel via a recent video and was impressed by that selection, a song from Dordeduh. I expected to see the usual Metallic, Judas Priest and Pantera videos but nope! He had already done a full MGLA album reaction and even Portal lol. Good stuff here.
No
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MGLA is an excellent gateway drug to black metal. And this album is just a masterpiece. EiF II is just beautiful.
UADA & MGLA - Black Metal Medley
th-cam.com/video/kDqrJgJX8DA/w-d-xo.html
for me it's the journey's end ( 55y of age -- 35y of Hard Rock / BM ) -- These lyrics are incomparable to others in the very best sense.
It's the only album I have. The rest I simply can't get into.
Eif ii is just haunting
@@violent_bebop9687 how come?
This guy is probably every guitarist dream drummer. The way he colors the melody with every beat is out this world
Hahaha try Haken!
@@petegrusky2715 Meh
Mgla gives me hope. Finding this album years ago really helped me to not feel so lonely in the world. I felt like I finally met, through their music, some people that vent through a long and difficult process of getting to terms with Existence. Which is simply given to us AS IS. And all we are left to do is grasping at anything that can give us a smallest modicum of respite from the fear of life and inevitable death.
Faith, money, sex, community, family, career, spirituality. It's all a poison, really. You just have to be honest about it and pick which one tastes sweeter to you. At the end of it all meaning is what we give to the world. But non can be derived from the world itself. It simply exists, indifferent to our struggle. And there is comfort in accepting that.
well said. I've gone through a lot of grief and loss during last several years. I've been quite nihilistic even before it all started, but now it's even more so. I feel somewhat disconnected from most of the people I know.
Listening to mgla does make me feel less lonely though. It makes me appreciate the fact that there are people out there seeing reality for what it really is.
Yeah , happy people that listen to some shitty rap (not all rap is shit, but most of it is) will definitely never listen to black metal.
@@DiveTheseClips there is no reality. We are just animals, the matter that moves. Some have an easy and kinda happy life ,some struggle. There is no reality, we are just a matter
@@vladyslavserdiuk2893 I share the view that we are just matter that moves, fuelled by the illusion of free will. But I'm not sure how this implies that there's no reality. You can be a bunch of matter within reality, there's no contradiction between the two.
Total emos
Great album reaction !!
The artwork represents a blind man trying to reach something but he will never achieve it.
The painting is from the year 1908 and is called "The Blind". Made by French painter Marcel Roux.
Greeting from Cordoba, Argentina.
"There is something about the rigid posture of a proper, authentic blind
As if extended arms reached to pass his blindness on to others"
in Exercises in Futility I
You caught unto the exact feeling I felt while listening to MGLA for the first time, this upbeat yet hopeless feeling. Its very hard to describe, but I guess thats what I would call it. Positively nihilistic. Happy nihilism.
Strength in hopelessness ;)
Like nihilistic acceptance.
A Schopenhauerian approach. Cold indifference to the faith of the universe
Pessimistic nihilism:
"Regardless of our actions or intent thereof, we are doomed anyway" -> :(
Optimistic nihilism:
"Regardless of our actions or intent thereof, we are doomed anyway" -> :)
Embrace it.
VI is one the most amazing songs Ive ever heard.
And III is for me best track in this masterpiece of original & beautiful music . Love it , completely different than rest of BM bands . Thanks for breakdown, I couldn’t do it but it was very interesting to hear your breakdown. Also I want to thank you for real reaction without making faces or overreacting like most of reaction TH-cam videos.
This album is perfection
UADA & MGLA - Black Metal Medley
th-cam.com/video/kDqrJgJX8DA/w-d-xo.html
This is legit my single favorite album of all time, in any genre. It's so perfect start to finish, every piece in its proper place, clear creative vision and example of a specific style, executed perfectly by the musicians.
First off, this video is my first encounter with your channel. You are incredibly intelligent, highly aware, emotionally in touch, and well - spoken. You're well-versed in a number of topics whether it be philosophical/ religious references or musical composition/ production.. etc. etc. and I must say that THAT was SUCH a breath of fresh air for me. I find it incredibly frustrating to watch all these modern day reaction videos where everyone is doing nothing except making these over the top forced faces for thumbnails and pausing every 10 seconds to babble on about inconsequential this that and the others before wrapping up with a "dont' forget to like comment and subscribe." That resonates with lots of people, and to each their own, but for me, THIS, despite not agreeing with everything you said, is exactly what I'd hope for in a reaction video. Musical analysis, lyrical content, interpretation, understanding of music in general as well as the specific genre. etc...
Something that I find interesting is your overall conclusion. Actually, let me set the stage for that comment: There was a point at the end where you mentioned it's a big jump for the lyricist to go from "Just because there is no afterlife doesn't mean that this life is meaningless." For me, I find it interesting that you go from this is light and fun and I want to dance to it to man I'm exhausted and this is draining and I never want to listen to this album again. That, to me, thought quite possibly honest, felt like an unjustified swing. Now you could be speaking accurately and if so I have a couple of thoughts on that: My first thought is that, you are potentially misassociating the exhaustion of being mentally engaged for 2 hours and doing a deep dive into an album and a billion of its elements with the actual album itself. You seem like a highly self aware individual so I'll leave you to discern how much was the album and how much of the exhaustion was actually the REVIEW (that happened to be about an album.)
My second thought is that if you truly feel like you never want to listen to it again, where does that come from? The lyrical analysis? It seems like your largest qualm wasn't with the musical content itself but rather disagreeing with nihilism itself. I'm curious to know how much weight each thing goes into you liking music. It's easy to just say "Oh I like what I like" but I know you're deeper than that.
Additional thoughts/ perspective: For me, I'm a Christian and religious affiliation aside, I just love life. I'm whatever the opposite of nihilism is haha. I just love being here and exploring the infinity of it all. For me it's like: Okay so even if there IS nothing on the other side. What about it? It's gonna be a blast while I'm here! and I'm going to enjoy making it a blast for as many people as possible along the way. (Not in some hedonistic sort of way) But that belief in no way lessens my appreciation for the album. There is light and there is dark. Being awake during the day is cool but being up at night is exhilerating. There is hope and there is futility. Both are equally valid components to life itself. The album's progression further and further into the futility of it all FOR ME is no different from exploring any ideaology by playing devil's advocate. It EXCITES me, if that makes sense. The way the album paints this bleak existence, in such a philosophical and artistic way lights up my brain and makes me feel like I can better understand the place some people live in. It makes me feel powerful in being better able to relate. Like I literally feel POWERFUL listening to this album, not drained. With regards to the repetitive nature of certain songs, I actually love that. I and VI are my two favorites on the album but on VI, that repitition moves the music from a "song" . . . . . . to a PLACE. . . . . if that makes sense?.... a place to exist. To soak. You're no longer in a phrase. Or a chorus. You're in a ... . .space. . . . to just exist. The progressions push you forward. They are driving with more focus than earlier in the album but the intent doesn't feel hostile to me. Idk it's hard to explain, it just takes me to a place where there is nothing. You just get to exist and this "wall of sound" shields you from the outside.... unneccessary thoughts. responsibility. everything. For a few minutes you get to be washed over by the melodies as the drums frantically shield you from all else.
So it's interesting because in that regard, the music creates this, in some ways, nihilistic, place where you get to exist as nothing BUT in that, behind that veil of music, in that void, there IS a peace to be found. A quiet. A freedom.
This is a long read for many but I have a feeling you'll appreciate the discourse and perspective 😉😂😂😂😂😂😂 ANYWAY!!! Much love to anyone reading this comment! I wish all of you the best as you explore all that this "futile existence" has to offer! 😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂
Thanks for all of the kind words. I'm so glad this type of long form analysis resonates with people. I started this project as a way to merge informative reaction channels (like Garrett Miller Drums) with scripted song breakdowns (like 12tone). My earliest videos are quite a bit shorter but I was strictly analyzing the music -- no production, no lyrics, no philosophy. My community has continuously challenged me to improve my understanding of all aspects of music and have given me a lot of information about a variety of topics over the last 2 years of making these. A my knowledge has grown, I've been able to incorporate more topics in to the videos. In more ways than one, I'm only able to make videos like this one because of my community.
As for my fatigue, I have plenty of evidence to show that Black Metal songs like this overwhelm my senses and make me mentally fatigued in other reaction. I've also done a 3h33m album breakdown and didn't get fatigued during that. That's not to say that there weren't any outside variables that could have caused my fatigue, but the point where it began to drain me also happened to line up with the point of the album where the repetition started to kick into overdrive and the fun cymbals where used less and less.
And that leads right into your perspective -- you find the repetition freeing. This is something I've heard from a lot of fans of the genre, that the relentless notes and weight push them into a meditative state. In your case it sounds like you even reach a state of something similar to nirvana; that deepest state of mental clarity where the song takes you places. And I think that's awesome. There's certainly a part of me that's envious of that capability 😅 But I get the exact opposite feelings from repetitive, fuzzy, heavy music. It makes me anxious and it feels like an immense pressure is applied to me. The first few tracks gave me some moving melodies and dancing cymbal work to focus on but those last two -- that was sheer bleakness; just a static, heavy, constant weight applied to me. And yeah, I feel exhausted by the end of it.
Of the topic of the albums themes: yeah I have no problem with using art to explore dark or taboo topics (as long as it's done with care) and this album does a fantastic job of sonically exploring the concept of nihilism.
Thanks for this excellent comment! It's always neat to hear other people's perspectives regarding art. Especially when their experience is so different from mine.
In track VI, the lines "self-crucified, missed the right tree, tore the wrong eye out..." is a reference to the Odin myth, who "crucified" himself on the world tree to gain knowledge of other worlds, and he tore his "right" eye out and sacrificed it to Ymir for wisdom of the runes. The chorus is basically saying "i've sacrificed everything for nothing and tearing the wrong eye out i've gained ignorance, therefore i deserve to suffer". Mgla's main theme is and has always been nihilism, even their other project Kreigsmaschine is primarily focuses on nihilism. Like the title of the album, life is an exercise in futility.
the drummer is also a professionial xylophonist, that's why he's so adept at dancing around all the cymbals
source?
@@sykoosi just search his name up on metallum brother
I love this album, from beginning to end. Mgla has a unique heavy sound, that atmosphere of black metal and strong lyrics. Best combination ever!
This really blends in perfectly with Hi-Fi Black Metal week haha
Maybe we’ll just get a hifi BM month!!!
UADA & MGLA - Black Metal Medley
th-cam.com/video/kDqrJgJX8DA/w-d-xo.html
This is an absolutely phenomenal reaction. You are able to come upon through your analysis the core of what many of us fans of Mgla feel very very decisively yet can't put our fingers on. It is beautifully therapeutic music for many who struggle with life. It leaves us, despite the nihilistic vocals, with very real senses of hope. I'm in awe how you came upon this through analysis of the cymbal work but that really is it. There is something very fun and beautiful there to enjoy...if we can just overcome that drone of nihilism. Profound representation of depression.
Love the detailed review of this gem. The drummer's a trained xylophone player, thus the intricate cymbal works. They're amazing live! Check out the drum video footage (heaps on youtube) it's mesmerizing!
That explains so much!
"Dreams don't come true for people like us" became my life mantra ever since I listened to this song for the first time
same here
One of mine is "blessed be the misery, the filth, the discord, and the horror"
"The great truth is there isn't one"
One of my favorite lyrics of all time, and such a powerful opening verse to an album
@@TheOneWayDownBut if the only truth is that there's not one, then the assertion that there's no truth is not true either. So, it's not true that there's no truth either.
Don't let that be your reality. Mgla music is full of hope and beauty. And, as they say in their lyrics, there's no truth, but the meaning we give to life. Therefore, it's not true that dreams don't come true. I know life can suck, but there's beauty in the struggle.
i think "contentment in nihilism" may be the feeling. the album is extremely misanthropic, but in an almost gleeful defiance of humanity's arrogance. a self indulgent joy in rejecting the search for meaning as futile.
I'm in awe about how they can master the English language while being not native speakers. I wonder how they come with such rich English.
Desire to learn and possibly well educated. I've heard of a few metal vocalists having higher education degress in literature or linguisitics.
Also Europe... They normally learn English in school along with their native language so most Europeans do actually speak pretty decent English at the very least
I guess it's also just translation sometimes
thats pretty common for europeans. 99% of all EU BM Bands i know have super decent english.
It sort of varies across the Europe. These folks are from Poland, and I guess they're of the age where they've been the first generation after the fall of eastern bloc that were taught English in school. This essentially means they have a good formal understanding of the correct grammar (ironically often better than the native speakers who go with their intuition and also use slang).
Generally the people where the movies are subtitled instead of dubbed tend to have a better pronunciation. This is why the Dutch sound so good. Among the Slavs this is a mixed bag -- most seem to pay a lot of attention to do good dubbing, but unless I'm mistaken, poles don't.
The third thing is the richness of vocabulary. I think for this sort of poetry it is the most crucial part. My guess is that whoever wrote these lyrics reads a lot.
This is one of those albums that I still remember where I was and what I was doing when I first listened to it. I think Exercises in Futility IV is my favorite
I hear you! Think 3&4 was my favourites from this first listen.
IV definitely caught my attention the most, but I did enjoy the whole album.
I had the same thing. This is also the album that finally got me into Black Metal after almost two years of trying to get into it.
A little late to this party, but if I could recommend some bm, I'd recommend you stormkeep - tales of the othertime, panopticons - kentucky , Cult of Fire - Ascetic Meditation of Death. A non black metal album that is 100% worth your time is never cross the dead by hooded menace
The way you felt at the end is a true testament to the quality of the art here
If you want the full experience of Darkside's drumming, listen to Kriegsmaschine.
It's a side project of the Mgla members, but with a heavy focus on groove.
Their first album is still more oldschool but Enemy Of Man and Apocalypticists are absolute masterclasses in drumming.
one of my favs bm albums in recent years. The care and attention to detail that went into the music and lyrics makes the album feel very purposeful, which makes it kinda ironic. I love it
Great album. I love how the intensity increases throughout the album. I find the last 2 tracks finish the album perfectly and the increased intensity almost makes it uplifting for me. Not a huge BM fan but this is one of my favourite BM albums and one of the albums which made me more interested in BM.
It's a great album by one of the best black metal bands in the last 15 years. Since this band is from Poland it reminds me of another polish black metal band called Batushka, their album Litourgiya from 2015 (same year as this album) is also very good and different since the lyrics and imagery are about orthodox christianity but of course from the black metal perspective so that would be an interesting listen.
I second the Batushka listen. I remember when that album first came out, it was very popular in the underground.
It was a GOOD year for black metal
If you are curious about the cymbal work on track V, make a reaction video on the live drum cam on that track. It's an amazing sight to see.
Yeah, this is basically a Nihilist manifesto. It's not about that we're all doomed, it's that there's no greater meaning. Nihilism is not fatalism, which is important to remember. Several songs deal with Anomie, which is a sort of transitional state to nihilism. It's when you "discover" or "realize" the truth that there are not really any rules or any meaning to the human condition. It's not about religion specifically, although religion always deal in those greater truths, so it naturally sits pretty well in the theme.
I don't think you ever completely lose that feeling of being mentally drained during those long stretches of repetition, but you do start to develop a huge positive feedback loop after a while. I guess you could compare it to a physical workout.
Interesting. So it becomes a sort of cathartic release?
@@CriticalReactions Definitely. Take the repetition in Exercises In Futility VI starting around the five and a half minute mark for example. That shit gets better and better for me as time goes on. It gives me the chills.
You should check out minenwerfer - alpenpasse, they are atmospheric black metal about world War 1,first track of the album is something phonememal.
That first track especially deserves a reaction without a doubt.
Very interesting that you find the last two tracks draining. I really enjoy them along with the rest of the album and don't really feel that at all. Some of my favourite riffs from the album are in them. Really enjoyed the reaction though!
The last two are the most emotionally potent
i fucking love this album idk why. Thanks for the review!
I think you hit the nail on the head when you realize that BM is not really a strict musical genre, but rather a specific mindset or style in which you can make lots of different music. You've honestly mostly listened to pretty boring BM that began the genre, but even at the beginning you had shining examples of excelence that made very interesting music. I honestly believe that a lot of the classics created the vibe and established the atmosphere, but were not very interesting otherwise. We love them because they ARE the classics. But then others came along and created very interesting music afterewards, to the point where BM is arguably the most varied genre in metal today, simply due to unlimited creativity!
I absolutely adore this album. It is a modern classic and has a strong unique identity. I LOVE Darkside's drumming and I enjoy the simple melodic ideas thorughout the album. It is an example of the depth the genre enjoys honestly, which is rarely found in other genres of metal, simply because others are far more rigidly defined. I LOVE other gneres of metal as well, probably like death metal the most out of all music genres period, but have to give BM the credit where it is due.
For more interesting BM albums with a wide range of different ideas, I highly recommend:
1. At the Heart of Winter by Immortal. Some of the best riffing in metal, Abbath is an incredible guitarist. The production is strong and the album is generally melodically interesting, while never sacrificing the atmosphere. It is an incredibly FUN album, but can also be meaningful to the listener.
2. Storm of the Light's Bane by Dissection. Again, incredible guitar work and was part of the Gothenburg scene in the 90s, where melodic death metal was born, so this album caries a lot of that influence from the scene. It is also one of the OGs in the scene, so yeah. Very simliar to Immortal's album in what it accomplishes, but has a different sound and different ideas. It is arguably my favorite album of all time, battling the likes of Death's Symbolic or Opeth's Blackwater Park.
3. Anthems to the Welkin at Dusk by Emperor. An incredibly interesting album with tons of fun guitar work, stunning synth work and melodic ideas that bring goosebumps! But it is HEAVY, with tons of parts that just assail your ears. Honestly, if I had to choose one album I would LOVE you to review, it would be this one.
4. 1184 by Windir. Again an interesting album with fantastic ideas and the albums is full of musical ideas that make you WAU, at least it does for many many of us! But it leans more into the atmospheric side of things, without it being boring or too repetative, except for the few important parts, where the repetiton is absoultely neccessary and magic happens.
5. Isa by Enslaved. Speaking of proggy stuff in BM, this is the classic(... and Anthems by Emperor, which I mentioned above ofc). This is a fun album drawing heavily from the viking culture, but is contrasted with lots of complex ideas that make you HUH and intrigue you. It takes a while to fully enjoy these parts, but man the album is big and all together it is an experience worth having.
6. Lawless Darkness by Watain. Simply a masterful BM album that sticks true to the roots, HOWEVER executes it all with tons of wild music! It takes what the classics were doing and does it all with musical depth. Kind of like what say Death did later with Human. The album closer, Waters of Ain, is a modern BM masterpiece. All of those 14 minutes and 30 seconds are justified to me.
7. Enthrone Darkness Triumphant by Dimmu Borgir. People love to shit on Borgir these days, but they forget the peak the band enjoyed. This is symphonic black metal in every sense of the term with fantastic production. Again, an incredibly fun album that will simply brighten your day. Love fantasy? Love metal? You will love this album.
8. Sronttgorrth by Nagelfar. This is a lesser known album by a German band that only has 3 albums and then they disbanded after they felt like they reached their creative limit as this particular band. The drummer later went on to create the band called Ruins of Beverast, which is very popular now! It is a long album with songs that frequiently go into the 15th minute, so I doubt you will ever review this one, but here is my attempt to pitch it. First of all, this album perfects the black metal sound. It is difficult to find a better sounding black metal album when you are looking for the "perfect black metal sound". Furthermore, this album is very interesting as it incorprates A TON of electronic music and industiral sounds. The guitar work is fantastic and in general every track will surprise you with at least something wild. This is one of a kind and I recomend at least reacting to a song of theirs, say Kapitel 3 or Kapitel 4(electronic track with strong metal influences! I LOVE this track to death).
9. The Dwelling by Sabbat. This is a first wave black metal masterpiece from Japan on more of a proggier side of things. It is first wave, which means it at times sounds like thrash metal, but generally it has the BM style. A TON going on on this album and is still one of my favorite albums of all time! It is a single 60 minute song that musically takes you on a journey.
10. Aura by Saor. Finally an atmospheric black metal album that doesn't get bogged down too much in boring repetition. There is repetition here, don't get me wrong, but this band incorporates tons of folk instruments, but honeslty also has fantastic guitar work and drumming, where riffing is not just boring trem picking all the time.
I could also include the heavier and more dissonant stuff, which can be honestly absolutely incredible and interesting, but IDK if that is something you are interested in. If you are, I recommend Deathspell Omega and Blut Aus Nord, as well as Leviathan.
Thanks so much for this. Tons of great info about BM in general and plenty of places to start my journey into the genre.
Wow, great comment. Awesome explanations of the songs and a bit of the history throughout.
I’d agree. Most of first wave seemed more like a prototype of BM. I don’t listen to much, but can see how the foundation was laid both music and the ethos.
Second wave was what started to stick. I really loved Emperor- the extra event arrangements and they really seemed to be pushing the boundaries of what traditional BM was. I also loved Darkthrone and enslaved (they have a different sound now but still enjoy them).
For me, I started dabbling in other “blackened” genres- blackened deathcore, death, doom, etc- and some subgenres- blackgaze, atmospheric black, psychedelic black in particular. It all started to click from there. I saw BM act as both a foundation on which to build from or a “seasoning” to sprinkle on top. At least for me, it always seemed it was missing something by itself (Relates to Bryan’s point in the video).
Today, I still prefer some of these blackened blends, but go back to the older or rawer stuff sometimes too.
Most of the recs I know but don’t know all. I’ll be checking them out!
Great comment!
You're talking mostly bands that I've come to enjoy which makes me curious about the ones I don't think I've heard.
To say black metal is a mindset is a very good description. A key element of black metal is complete artistic freedom. That's why labelling bands simply according to the musical elements is redundant when talking about BM. (my opinion, but I'm not alone in this).
Already at the very beginnings of the Norwegian scene everyone was encouraged to do their own thing and not copy each other. The results are for all to hear: none of the early classics resemble each other too much. Darkthrone, Mayhem, Emperor, Immortal and all the others had their own distinct styles. These of course have been copied a thousand times over since then, but luckily there are always bands like mgla that have their own degree of excellence :)
@@punkjay4681 Yeah! Not to metion Meryful Fate that was a completely different jam... Still in the BM mindset (even paving the esthetic mindset)
BM simply isn't about "colour"... 😉
(But there can still be beauty in black & white art. I think it's the melancholy in this that's beautiful. But there's certainly "fun stuff" in the "intricacy" and "inventiveness" sense.)
Just jotting down my thoughts as I listen to yours.
1) Mgla is unusually good - that may be the case here why you actually like this.
2) Sure you can find death pop.
3) ,Yeah, some eagles are pretty much scavengers since they are not so fast and agile as to catch small prey, but big enough to take it from, say, a falcon.
4) The drummer, Darkside, is fantastic. As you've noticed.
5) Saw them live at Brutal Assault in 2016, but at that time I was mostly impressed by the constant tremolo picking by the guitarists. There's a beautiful flow in these songs.
6) This is like the 3rd wave of black metal. A lot of things happened along the way.
7) Fast alternating between snare and bass drum = blast beats. (Actually, the bass is usually not alternating).
8) The live concert was very evident tremolo picking rather than just a "sound".
9) The widely popular live drum cam video of Darkside playing V certainly has a playfulness and focus of cymbals,
10) in the last track, everything sounds so much more despair and lost hope. More intense and at the same time more "having given up". I like this intensity. Not that I'm giving up in a peronal level. Just takling music here.
11) Being a strong atheist myself, your review just made me love this album even more.
12) I think the emphais is on the a in Mgla, like Mglá.
13) Understanding the world is the first step towards making it better.
14) This album doesn't make me depressed. Quite the opposite.
15) My life in the now matters.
16) The band have been denied playing planned concerts because of ties to NSBM.
Your pick?
@@progperljungman8218 Not even allowed to vote, suggesting picks - less so…
@@johanliljeblad1236 Ah. Forgot...
@14. Yep, it cheers me up. But actually almost whole metal does that to me since 1980's :D
*16) The band have been denied playing planned concerts because of ALLEGEDLY ties to NSBM. ;)
Great album. Some of the best BM ever.
ESPECIALLY the last 2 tracks;)
This was the first black metal album that I listened to in full! Still one of the only ones that don’t bore me eventually! As a drummer, this album is also sooo inspiring with how the cymbals are used. It just takes it up a notch!
Completely agree about the cymbal work. I just watched a live video and was completely mesmerized.
@@CriticalReactions yes i wanted to tell you exactly that!
Boy, wait until you hear this, which is another one of their projects. Same musicians.
th-cam.com/video/9bgSAP_iOu4/w-d-xo.html
What a lovely review! That was a pleasure to listen to alongside you. I'm not always in the mood for pure BM, but MGLA is certainly a great choice if that's what you're in the mood for. And yeah, the drummer, Darkside, is an absolute beast. I'm certainly not an expert or even a novice when it comes to drumming technique, but he's got to be one of the best in the business.
Him playing Exercises in Futility V live is always a pleasure. His cymbal-work is absolutely bonkers, man. And yeah, he's playing both sides of the kit:
th-cam.com/video/wcsTJ1n2jkE/w-d-xo.html&ab_channel=DrummersFromHellPL
I haven't listened to anything metal for a long while. Then listened to Mgla 2 years ago the first time had blown me away! Such a strong band!
Love your black metal analysis videos. I recommend Mysþyrming - Með svipur á lofti
It is hi-fi and very unique. Also the final 2 tracks of this mgla album has biblical references. Vin and sori reacted to those tracks and explained it.
1:37:25 yep he is. He's a monster.
"The great truth is there isn't one"
But many people live happy, blissful of that fact.
This guy knows the great truth, and it has taken his bliss away
That's certainly one way to read it. Because this album is anything but blissful 😅
@@CriticalReactionsWe don't live in a blissful world. Majority of people on this planet live in poverty. Science figured out a long time ago that there is no God or meaning to any of this.
One of the best modern black metal bands in my opinion.
They’re so accessible yet still very true to black metal roots and atmosphere. I love their clear rock n roll influences. Their melodies are incredibly textured and catchy. Definitely my favorite album by them.
Your thoughts right at the beginning after the first listen are so cool to hear. Same thoughts I've had before. I don't think it matters. There's great sounds out there that make you question your tastes; and those are the good ones.
I agree that the last two tracks are draining. For me it's just that they drain away the negativity in a sort of trance.
Hey, I think Emperor - Anthems to the Welkin at Dusk would be a very interesting black album for you to analyze, there is a hell lot of going on, symphonic/orchestral elements, lots of changeups, varied compositions, etc.
To me, nihilism represents freedom. Yeah, the logical implications are grim yes, but at the same time the implications extend to perceived misery as well. Why should one worry about earthly stuff at all, gods, fate, lack of this and that when at the end of the day - it is all about horseshit of our making?
For me, you're referring more to existentialism than nihilism. Nihilism can't represent freedom in any form. Nihilism is the negation of every value and the search for it.
I'm glad you did this! Yes the drumming is so fantastic that honestly I probably listened to only the cymbals the first 3 times I listened to this album. I do think that the last track is a bit much on the repetitive side and I honestly have listened to it less than the others because I think after V I am completely exhausted. Part IV and V are the highlights for me and the cymbals and some of the tremolo somehow have a bit positivity in the middle of the darkness from the lyrics and the singing. I listen to IV a lot when I am frustrated at work and just need to let off some steam.
Check out Kriegsmaschine - Residual Blight if you want to hear more insane drumming from Darkside.
This is my second favorite album from them. My favorite is Age of Excuse. I would recommend to give it a listen.
Go straight to Kriegsmaschine. Same drummer but the drumming is even better than MGLA, especially in Apocalypticists.
There is an amazing video of Fenriz (Darkthrone) laying out on a chalkboard, the history of the creation of black metal (starting with Black Sabbath roots) and goes through examples of bands in the subgenres. VERY informative especially for those just getting into black metal.
Oooo I'll have to look for that!
For starters, about the clear production, there are so many styles of black metal these days. For example, check out some latest albums from bands like Schammasch, Mephorash, Decline Of The I, Laster, Temple Koludra, White Ward etc......
Thy darkened shade and kaatayra are comming up in near future… ill put up a couple more for him end of this month, schammasch is a very strong contender!
I've been looking forward to you diving deep into Mgla and its finally here and i couldn't believe it is a full album review. Although they do have great live/session members its a 2 men show of Darkside on drums and M with rhytm guitars, lead vocals, lyrics and rest of the composition while Darkside reigns supreme and mostly leads on and drives the songs.
They also have another, studio only band called Kriegsmaschine. Kriegsmaschine is a lot darker in atmosphere and Darkside goes even crazier on drums with insane patterns which i can't wait for you to discover eventually. The 'Enemy of Man' album from KSM is one of my all time favorites from this duo.
I will never get tired of Exercises in Futility V. The pulsating wall of guitar, the mercury rain of cymbals. Repetitive, sure, but therefore borderline hypnotozing. One of the best in the genre IMO.
Fascinating how different people perceive music. I've listened to the Album probably 100+ Times. I'd say it's my favourite album and especially Eif VI still gives me goosbumps every time. It makes me feel kinda euphoric in a melancholic way if that makes Sense.
Still enjoyed your reaction tho.
Great analysis. Good to see composer's perspective.
But man if you say this is emotionally and mentally draining try listening to Kriegsmaschine's Apocalypticists album.
Kriegsmaschine is another band with Mgła members. Darker, complicated and... darker and emotionally draining and exhausting.
Honestly I consider Mgła as happy side of these people. When I first listened to Apocalypticists I really couldn't understand it. My mind needed couple of playthroughs to get what they're trying to say by this music. Now I think I know what it is. This is basically a soundtrack that would play if the world was going to an end.
I would love to see your reaction on it.
I correlate the overall representation of nihilism throughout the album as human life itself; as you grow and experience life when you are a child you are very playful and light hearted. So as you grow old things become…
I'm late, however, this is the reason (one of many) why this is my favourite "reaction" channel, thank you for this!
Also, as for the black metal speech, I'd say some of the previous recommendations might got you used to very lo-fi, raw obscure sound when it comes to black metal, but as a matter of fact, these days there is most likely more "hi-fi" black metal music than "lo-fi", with much richer and cleaner (yet still gritty) production that is far from the first/second wave black metal sound. And being that black metal community has a lot of purists in it, you can except being recommended a lot of very harsh, raw and inaccessible stuff that is of course crucial to the genre but not necessarily the best introduction to the genre!
Black Metal is a massive genre with tons of sub-genres and hybrids that often completely shift the entire sound and atmosphere of the music, but the more you explore it, the more you realize that there is much more to it than meets the eye, that's why it's so fascinating!
This entire week has been devouted to higher-fi Black Metal and I've had a fun trip exploring this side of the genre. And you're right, it's massive. I think a lot of that comes from the simplicity in the "purest" aspects of the genre. It allows for more creative liberties than other metal genres.
Easily a top 10 album for me. I view the bright cymbals being at the top of the mix and standing out above as a metaphor for happiness, peace, or prosperity being above your head and just out of reach and the rest of the music is constantly trying to reach for it just like the blind man in the painting/album art. This realization gave this album a whole new level of meaning for me. Always just out of reach. “Self-crucified, missed the right tree.”
hey, i just stumbled across your channel tonight, you cover some interesting bands, this one really peaked my interest as someone also slightly late to the black metal party, who loves MGLA. (i used to hate black metal, but in the last 10 years it's all i really listen to! weird) it's a fascinating genre, especially the more atmospheric stuff. i'm less inclined towards the 'satanic' stuff, although emperor,darkthrone and mayhem are obviously legends, i have quite an extensive obscure collection and can recommend some stuff that might be up your street if you're interested.
MGLA is absolutly amazing. I think you should give the album "With hearts towards no one" a chance before you let MGLA go ;)
Enjoyed the review thoroughly. Just a reminder though, English isn't these guy's first language so reading the lyrics might seem a bit off. It did for me but I still understand what they're getting at.
So happy you checked out mgla. They are one of my most appreciated black metal bands. I also love what you said about black metal being a texture rather than the genre itself; i bet you will love dynamic and groovy side of black metal that youre yet to experience! Ive been avoiding black metal for 7-8 years while listening to mainly melodic death metal, and only in the past 3-4 years ive been delving into black metal and it has become one of my dearest musical expressions of today. Its extremely varied, rooted in atmosphere/groove and dynamics, so im looking forward to getting your musical standpoint of bands that i really love
You could think of the cymbals as you, the person. The Lyrical content and the other rigidness of the music is the Nihilistic influence on you. By the end of album at the last track, you've finally seen the truth and it's all nothing, you're now part of it.
You should definitely check out their side project kriegsmaschine, album "apocalipticist" is a must-hear.
One of my most favourite albums which got me really deep into black metal. Mgła shows that black metal can be crisp and tight yet still retain the coldness and harshness of classic BM. I remember hearing track 5 on metal internet radio and listening to all of Mgła's catalogue right after that. Absolutely awesome. Plus the drummer is a legend.
Suggestions for future:
1. Panopticon "Kentucky" :D
2. Batushka "Litourgiya"
Part V: You have to look at humanity as flawed, inherently bad to understand it. The professions of Stone cutter, Carpenter, an iron worker just do their jobs. But it is used to inflict evil. The other qualities do not need any outside source.
Part VI: Read up on Norse mythology. Odin ripped his own eye out to see.
I think Black Metal is more of a mood than a texture. It's a very, very dark mood.
I love these reactions. If you like this sort of black metal you should check out Djevel's Naa skrider natten sort. I'd love to see a reaction of that.
He's playing cymbals on EVERYDAMNSIDE of that kit.
This might actually be my all-time favorite album
Great job listening to the whole album! Definitely a gateway album into more Mgla. You should really check out drumcam videos of these songs, especially EiF V. The drummer's work is incredible. Regarding the themes, I think you definitely caught on to the playfulness and almost cheerful absurdity of some of the tracks. Just like with a lot of things, you don't necessarily have to agree with their philosophy completely in order to appreciate their work.
Mgła musicians have also second project called Kriegsmaschine, its even more blead and depressing but worth checking out, Apocalypticists is masterpiece
Im going to see them live in two weeks. Super stoked!!! The best polish metal band!
Oh wow, Iove this album, looking forward watching your video :)
BTW from the lyrics, at like 36:10 you are wondering about the eagles and scavenging; it very possibly means vultures, 'cause in many of our northern european languages the word for Vulture is a ... well it's type of an eagle. For finnish Vulture is straightly translated "A crow-eagle". The band probably uses the word "eagles" as a synonym that the scavengers are representing themselves as high and mighty.
As a nord, I never saw any weirdness in this part, but yeah, it's a language thing. This is my understanding only, of course.
Ahh so it could be a translation thing. Thanks for that.
One of the greatest black metal bands out there in my opinion
So cool to hear you talk about the wall of sound from BM. It's the ambience of Black Metal that originally drew me in. There are some really great Death Metal bands that do something similar too - but they're just as difficult to get into for most folks as Black metal can be.
I like to think of the wall of sound as a challenge for the listener to draw out the individual sounds and instruments, to pick out the beauty in the roughness. Like taking a long and difficult hike to a perfect look off, where everything comes together and you feel elation and accomplishment at the same time.
If you want some fascinating and artistic black metal than I can't recommend enough Altar of Plagues. Teeth Glory & Injury or Mammal are one of the best albums in existence
I've been enjyoing MGŁA's albums for few years now, and i am always glad to see other people discover their work. I fully agree on the black metal part - i always had it in my mind that BM has a lot of flavor to it, arguably more than musical nuances and stylistics that could differ it from other subgenres; altough over last few years i've been trying to avoid discussing subgenres since it feels like exercise in futility itself, heh.
Both guys do such an amazing job in the band, and you've seen the famous drumcam already so yeah, no need for me to convince you even more (altough if you ever find some spare time, this is a great live - th-cam.com/video/iCAvAOFf0P8/w-d-xo.html ; you might notice that guys just want to play the tracks a bit faster just because they can).
Last bit - i do not know how it is with certain Polish metal bands, but a lot of them feel very nostalgic to me; MGŁA or Behemoth can intertwine from time to time some clean guitars, drum grooves or power chords into their songs that instantly give me late 80's-90's Polish punk rock/ hardcore metal vibes. Lot of bands here who play less harsh music keep their lyrics dirty, norm-breaking or just straight up mundane and funny just because it's something that doesn't strike everyone as cliche thing to put in metal, yet they are celebrated and followed by a lot of fans. I guess years of punk culture left a lot of itself in our music and it just carries on, heh.
Cheers friend, i enjoyed the breakdown and thank you for pointing lot's of nuances to your viewers. This is a quality content :)
Thanks for the informative comment! It's pretty cool to hear that different regions sort of evolved their own style of BM.
comment for the youtube algorithm :)
exercise in futility. you have passed the first 2 parts . the rest ate you. pure futility
Good morning from New England..Im not usually into Black Metal but there's just something about this band...I saw a live drum cam vid and this guy is on par with Mario Duplantier..It's very doomy Black Metal...Overall a strong performance all around..Peace from the Northeast..Btw I think your ear is just getting used to the overall timber of this type of music..Thx
I'll def have to check out a drum video for this group. The drumming in here was insane to listen to, I can't imagine what it looks like.
@@CriticalReactions cool just search YT for DARKSIDE DRUM CAM from the album's title...Peace...
@@brianyates7255 That blew my mind. That full minute between 3:00 and 4:00 was wild!
I highly recommend checking out the rest of their discography. Especially some of the early EPs. Mgla as a whole is just a masterclass into melodic black metal, and if you really get into them you can checkout their slightly more eclectic side project 'Kriegsmaschine'. It's a little more experimental/avante garde but still black metal, since it's studio only it also has some crazy drums.
Lastly, Mgla production as a whole is really good so it makes it much more palatable to the ear.
Drums on Residual blight are out of this world. It's actually insane.
New subscriber here, I just had to subscribe since it's not every day you get to experience someone making a 2 hour analysis of your favorite album.
Thanks! I have a bunch of long form videos about music from all over the genre spectrum. I'm sure you'll find some other breakdowns that you'll enjoy too!
Incredible album, the percussion is so integral to the composition, providing not only pleasant ornamentation but even groove, which i don't come across much. Not to mention the guitar harmonies and the over songwriting/lyrics in general.. love mgla! ( which in polish is pronounced 'muh-gwah') ="fog"
If you have some spare time, check VinandSori lyric analysis for track V...they really did a great job there: th-cam.com/video/iXURrzCKTiI/w-d-xo.html
You just immediately became my favorite music breakdown/reaction channel, instant sub ❤
Stumbled upon this review by chance. I love full album reviews. Even more so when they're so insightful.
This album was in my rotation for over 3 years. Haven't listened again since the controversy. Still a fantastic album.
May I suggest another Polish BM album with to my knowledge no ties to NS or adjacent BM. Or RABM for that matter:
Entropia - Ufonaut
I started my black metal journey from this album...for nearly a year played every day was so addicted..I'm not into nihilism but agree with so points...what blast me in this album was mixture desperation, happiness and hopelessness...atmosphere and drums plus lyrics making this album one of best in rock history to me..I'm in all music from Bob Marley to Architects...always cord was heavy metal...like power metal, death metal, doom , name it...but always use to hate black metal in age of 47 I fell in love in this genre..discovering more and more every day...
Great review!!! agree with majority especially about lyrics layers...although think nr VI is more between the lines telling of relationship ..
mr M ( music, lyrics, guitar) hes father was quite famous polish actor committed suicide in pick of hes career maybe that fact influence hes music in some way.
I love your channel and I love this album, what a treat. Especially after the full Ocean reaction!
The drums got me hooked on this album. EIF V, the drums just get more and more intricate as the song goes on. Amazing album
Minenwerfer - Der Blutharsch is an amazing first track off their album and another layer of black metal that I think you would enjoy. Also if you want to touch some blackened death metal, Belphegor has been doing it at the highest level for years and years.
Love all your black metal videos so much.
AT LAST someone mentioned der blutharsch, absolute must hear
After stumbling upon this video and watching the whole thing. I felt like writing out a couple things.
You understood the reference to the blind man as referring to those who do not subscribe to nihilism. However I would think the concept is actually the opposite. The "blind man spreading his blindness onto others" refers to the song writer/narrator. In an interview he described himself as "spiritually challenged". In his own words this is what he said about it:
"Look at the latest album cover artwork, it shows a blind man reaching for something but gripping nothing. If you add the pieces together - the spiritual outlook that’s been reflected in MGŁA, you’ll find that we genuinely would like to connect to something - to relate to something metaphysical, yet all we grasp is black void."
In general the album doesn't come off to me as a celebration of nihilism. Instead I see it more as a resignation after a long (ultimately futile) journey trying to find some kind of metaphysical meaning. Thus the references to various different religions and mythologies. In general I feel like it's not "I'm nihilist and proud of it", instead its "I tend towards nihilism because after a lifetime of searching I've found nothing else."
If I may make a recommendation I really think you would enjoy emperors with strength I burn especially the live video from wacken 2006 I think it sounds even better than the studio version 🤘
No matter if you click with the black metal texture element or not at all, you gotta admit its one crazy interesting idea for musical expression
Oh for sure. It does what it does very well and there really isn't much else that compares.
For composure, Old Man's Child is my BM go-to. Glad to see you enjoying this MGLA album!
When I first started getting into BM, this was the first album that really just floored me. Its such an interesting sound that's so hypnotic and heavy.
I love that you mentioned the idea of the cymbals being this brightness that kind of contradicts the lyrics. I've always thought of them as that bit of humanity that doesn't let you get completly consumed by this dark and meaningless haze, even if you belive it. But by the last drive of the album, the cymbals aren't dancing like in I, II and V, its more militant. It's not exactly happy but it's still going. Its exactly what I love about the genre, it can be so bleak but so beautiful at the same time
I always found the cymbals are 'bright' like... snow. Cold, white light. Cold, is the main thing; the cymbals sounds very *frosty* to me.
Thanks for reviewing and breaking down one of my favorites BM albums. Your insight was valuable. Subscribed!
What a Great Reaction...
The only reaction that is worth watching... Thank you for the thorough analysis.
I Would Love to see you react and analyze an album by Deathspell Omega. Believe me you won't be disappointed.
I've had them on the channel before and was blown away. I wouldn't mind doing a whole album.