In a world of ever-increasing hardship and struggle, it is easy to feel that dread is a more regularly present and less surprising companion day to day. Certainly, that is a sense that the multi-national (consisting of members from Brazil, France, Italy, and the UK), London-based Calligram convey throughout their sound with their roots consisting largely of Black Metal and Hardcore to a harrowing and ultimately relatable effect. 

Following a very promising debut, 2020’s The Eye Is The First Circle really showed the band to be an exciting, hugely emotive and, perhaps, underrated force in the UK scene (and of course beyond). A momentum swing that Position | Momentum (Prosthetic Records) proves is not slowing down any time soon.

Calligram have always excelled at instilling or heightening a sense of trepidation in a manner that feels very human, and as album opener ‘Sul Dolore’ immediately looks to prove, this is very much the case here as well. Instantly throwing in to a barrage of primal wails and blasting instrumentation, this offers no chance to settle in, sounding immediately distressed and almost grief stricken. 

The following ‘Frantumi In Itinere’ follows a similar path of chaotic frenzy with both offering very brief respites into more melodic territory. There are further melodic moments during proceedings, such as the comparatively more shoegaze-influenced ‘Eschilio’ or the ethereal passage of ‘Per Jamie’, but these parts feel far from uplifting and instead seem to amplify the brooding atmosphere conjured throughout.   

The Hardcore and sludgier elements of their apparel do not feel as overt as on previous albums, but they are still subtly present, such as on some of the drum sound and delivery on the intense ‘Ostranenie’ or in some of the guitar work and vocal delivery on first single ‘Ex-Sistere’. A subtlety with this showing how effortlessly blended these elements are with unassuming levels of depth as many of the songs twist and turn throughout. 

Black Metal is notable for its portrayal of bleakness but very little of it feels so relative as that on display in Position | Momentum in its emotive resonance. In a punishing world driving anxiety and worry continuously more, Calligram are providing a fitting and poignant soundtrack to the darkness.

Buy the album here:

https://calligram.bandcamp.com/album/position-momentum

8 / 10

CHRIS TIPPELL