Mære – …And the Universe Keeps Silent
Release Date: 19th April 2024
Label: Transcending Obscurity
Bandcamp
Genre: Death Metal, Black Metal, Avant-Garde.
FFO: Gorguts, Ulcerate, Replicant, Urraca.
Review By: Carlos Tirado
Mære is the latest band to enter this year’s most repulsive contest: the search for the best dissonant/disturbing album of the year. It’s gearing up to be a fierce competition, especially with the sheer inhumanity already displayed by Replicant, and the impending release from Ulcerate this summer. However, I always make it a point to give Transcending Obscurity’s bands some attention, so I approached And The Universe Keeps Silent with a healthy dose of intrigue.
Immediately noticeable was Mære‘s departure from the sheer brutality typically associated with such bands; their approach is more nuanced. Adopting an atmospheric perspective, while they do have moments of intense aggression, feelings of nihilism and discomfort prevail. In this regard, labelling this album solely as dissonant Death metal seems inadequate, as it incorporates elements from modern Post and Black metal too. The gradual build-ups allow the dissonance to seep in deeper than usual, forsaking groove for a plunge into a dense abyss of darkness. It beckons you to confront your darkest thoughts, only to discover further horrors lurking within.
While the songs meticulously construct their atmosphere, there’s a consistent thematic thread of sorrow and pain throughout. Despite the myriad changes in song structure, track usage, and the ominous tone of the guitars, the mood remains remarkably consistent, perhaps overly so for my taste (I can’t tell the songs apart!). The music is abstract, yet if there’s one tangible aspect worth highlighting, it’s the slow, dissonant crescendos the guitars masterfully execute, evoking a sense of deprivation in a strangely satisfying manner.
Despite my initial enthusiasm, I find myself grappling with mixed feelings towards the album. It encapsulates everything I adore about this subgenre yet fails to consistently captivate me; many sections lack that breathtaking allure. The songs, albeit ambitious, often feel unnecessarily long, resulting in a sense of sluggishness and disjointedness. Moreover, amidst the abundance of sections, tempos, and riffs, they maintain a monochromatic emotional palette, which ends up feeling numb. Additionally, I urge all bands to reconsider interludes or spoken segments in their albums, as they tend to detract from the overall experience.
Mære has undoubtedly crafted something intriguing and worthy of exploration. If you find yourself fully immersed in the murky depths of dissonant metal, it’s a must-listen. However, it’s unlikely to sway non-believers or astonish seasoned veterans of the style. Nevertheless, I believe Mære is a band about to reach its peak performance, and I’ll be ready for when that time comes!
(3 / 5)
