Meslamtaea - Geketend In De Schaduw Van Het Leven

So, Meslamtaea has been on a roll. 2 albums in 1 year is productive since the last Meslamtaea album ‘Niets en Niemendal’ had a time-gap of 14 years with their 2005 album ‘New Era’. It is good to see more Meslamtaea pop up in these weird times.

 

The new sound Meslamtaea is sporting right now, fits the whole post-apocalyptic vibe 'Geketend In De Schaduw Van Het Leven' has. The hollow screeches of Kaos are scary and fitting with the whole lonely atmosphere. The album is, as far as I know, fully in Dutch language. The Dutch language gives the album an extra filthy layer on top of it. 

 

Almost from the get go, you will hear newer elements that are brought in by the creative minds of Kaos and Floris. The more echoey vocals are going more to the experimental black metal side, which Meslamtaea (for me) is. It is the side experimental project of Asgrauw for me personally. All of the experimental elements that don't fit the harrowing noise that Asgrauw produces.

 

Throughout the album there are some memorable riffs especially during the middle part of the album. Extreme catchy riffing that is getting enhanced by clapping (!). Told you it was experimental. Especially during the song 'Illusie'. You might be able to pick up an instrument that doesn't get used in black metal a lot. That particular instrument gets scarier by the second. 

 

The new elements in the music are mixed very well and I like the way the whole album sounds. The unique aspects in the already quite progressive/avant-garde sounding ‘Geketend In De Schaduw Van Het Leven’ are taking this album to the next level. Alongside the newly added Chelsea Wolfe-esque vocals, the album is great to listen to multiple times and it certainly won’t get boring after just one listen.