Calligram – Position | Momentum
Release Date: 14th July 2023
Label: Prosthetic Records
Bandcamp
Genre: Black Metal, Industrial Metal, Hardcore.
FFO: Altars of Plague, Thou, Oathbreaker, Anopheli, Desolate Shrine.
Review By: Carlos Tirado
Calligram caught my attention with their debut album, The Eye is the First Circle. It was an impressive release that surprised me with its unique blend of Black metal and Hardcore. As a result, my expectations for Position | Momentum were high, but I also had some concerns since Post and Black Metal bands can be hit or miss.
Sul Dolore immediately dives into an intense and oppressive atmosphere, but it’s Framtumi In Itinere that truly sets the mood. This song is a whirlwind of elements, featuring white noise distortion, relentless blastbeats, tempo changes, and ominous melodic lines that inspire an overwhelming sense of pain. In contrast, Eschilo briefly calms the mood before returning to the onslaught. Tebe showcases Calligram’s ability to be both brutal and emotionally compelling. Ostranenine bears a resemblance to the style of Anopheli or Fall of Efrafa, which, as a fan of those bands, I appreciate, although the song feels slightly overlong.
There are no filler tracks on this album; each song serves a purpose and supports the others effectively. Often, albums feature great individual tracks that don’t come together as a cohesive and engaging whole. However, Calligram has managed to create a coherent experience without relying on interludes or segments that disrupt the pace or overall tone of the album. It’s worth noting that the lyrics are in Italian, a language known for its beauty, but in Position | Momentum, the language is employed with rawness, which is captivating (have a read of the lyrics, you won’t get them otherwise).
Now, what are the downsides? Well, this isn’t an easy or uplifting listen. If you’re not accustomed to bands like Desolate Shrine or Imperial Triumphant, Position | Momentum will test your endurance. Additionally, there’s something about the guitar tone and drums that always leaves me feeling as if there’s constant white noise reverberating in the background. While it suits their style, the industrial sensation it creates can become bothersome. I would have preferred the quieter parts to be even quieter, and the ending left me wanting more. It’s difficult to determine if that’s a good or bad thing, but in this case, more wouldn’t be worse. Nevertheless, I’m pleased to say that Calligram still has it, and they’ve crafted another excellent album that will haunt listeners for years to come.
(4 / 5)
