The problem with American Black Metal bands, is they are often comprised of Punk Rock kids from Brooklyn or any other hipster city, who appropriate the sonic aesthetics that work for their indie-rock sensibility lacking any sense of darkness. There are a few bands who have proved an exception Tombs, Weakling, and Nachtmystium. Blake Judd’s struggles with addiction are responsible for giving Nachtmystium its legitimacy his harrowing accounts of inner torment are far more intense than faux Satanism. After all, exorcising one’s demons can not be faked. Blight Privilege (Lupus Lounge) is Judd clawing his way back up from the abyss to make music again. This album might not be as experimental as his past work but it feels more honest.

The album sonically picks up where he left off. The scathing rasp of his vocals sits back in the mix. The synths play a larger role in the opening track. It charges forward with ample drive thanks to drummer Francesco Miato. “Predator Phoenix” is the kind of raw street-wise sound of grim black metal that most listeners are going to press play for. It’s raging, but not dependent on blast beats alone. Repeat listens reveal nuanced layers of guitar under the surface. This time around it’s more apparent Judd is lashing out at the bigger picture of the failing American society.

“Slow Decay” seems to be a reflection of his addiction and the bottom it caused him to hit. There is a great deal of subtly melodic guitar work flowing around the raging riffs. This works to create a sonic throb. “Conquistador” is possessed by a focused and blackened wrath at its core. It almost takes on an Immortal-like feel. It’s the first song where blast beats play a significant role. “Blind Spot ” works off the momentum established in the previous song. The vocals are more deliberate and the lyrical perspective of burning bridges in active addiction hits harder than pseudo Satanic nonsense.

“The Arduous March” pulses with emotional heaviness, this comes across as heavier than blast beats any day of the week. It is purposeful chug creates contrast for when the blast beats do arrive, they are not just a blur, but an effective dynamic shift. The last song finds enough hook in the chugged accents to balance the verse out. This album is a welcome return to sound that has been missing and arrived back just in time to provide the soundtrack to a world becoming a more miserable place each day.

This is the sound of the world burning from the inside out. If you have never given this band a chance you don’t know what you are missing. If you are reluctant to give this a listen due to Judd’s notorious past, then you probably shouldn’t be listening to Black Metal anyway, after all, it is a celebration of darkness, inner and outer. This album excels in conveying both.

Buy the album here:
http://lnk.spkr.media/nachtmystium-blight

9 / 10
WIL CIFER
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