The Pitch: Atmospheric black metal from Austria's The Negative Bias via ATMF. ""There is no feeling of being merely lost in the cosmos but following a precise conceptual storyboard and complex songwriting." FFO: Ars Magna Umbrae, Deluge, Frozen Ocean
What I Like: The opening track, "The Golden Key to a Pandemonium Kingdom" (that's a mouthful), had much to do with my initial interest in this album. I was particularly won over by the monk-like clean vocals that show up later in the composition. The contrasting of these melodic elements against the abrasive, powerful harsh snarls and distortion creates a really nice yin and yang of the black metal landscape. And while tracks are generally on the longer side, they are broken up nicely. Furthermore, since the focus is on only 6 tracks in total, each is allowed to shine brightly over the course of the resulting 40+ minutes. Even the purely ambient interlude "Cryptic Echoes From Beyond Dimensions" manages to bring something worthwhile to the table without feeling like a throwaway instrumental. Finally, I appreciate the strong role of the bass guitar on each of these tracks, especially the closer. This instrument often seems forgotten on most atmospheric BM projects, but not so with The Negative Bias.
Critiques: After the opener, I was hoping for a little bit more. While the subsequent tracks are both strong and consistent, they never quite reach the same zenith.
The Verdict: Lamentation of the Chaos Omega is atmospheric BM worth listening to. I have passed on quite a few albums in this genre in 2017, even ones from popular projects, but when it comes down to it The Negative Bias is one of only a select few that seems to be doing something worthwhile. Get it this Friday.
Flight's Fav's: Lamentation of the Chaos Omega, Tormented By Endless Delusions, And Darkness Should Be The End...
-Review by FlightOfIcarus
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