No more black metal. Seriously, I can't take it this year. Putting together my top 10 was an agonizing experience, and every last-minute release just makes it harder. Such is the case with this debut full-length from AWE. I was already impressed earlier in 2015 with their 3-way split, Moerae. It may have taken these guys 10 years to put out an album of their own, but patience is definitely a virtue.
There's not much I can say in the way of originality here, but not every album needs to set out to be the most innovative thing you have heard. If I buy a couch, I don't want it to have a roof and bend my back in some crazy "Doctor Recommended" position. I just want it to be the most refined take on the traditional couch as possible. I want to sit in that b#!ch and never want to get back up. Providenctia fits that mold. My first listen spurred a 4 repeat marathon.
Don't be fooled by the track listing either, that marathon lasted about 4 hours. At about 20 minutes apiece, this album is a bit of an investment. It's another experiental album akin to Akhlys and Mephorash. You want to find said couch and have a couch-ception listening to this amazing couch of an album. I don't know why I keep thinking about couches. Just know that you will be sinking into a blissfully dark abyss of tremolo, blastbeats, deep growls, and atmosphere.
And while the runtime of an album like this can get dull for the style, (my complaint about the more repetetive releases this year), AWE manage to harness each third of this album with just enough variety and subtle songwriting shifts to keep things interesting, and more importantly, immersive. You can check out the stream we featured as a post a little while back once more below. More awesome BM closer to the kvlt end of the spectrum that is worth its $10 price tag.