My Diligence - Death.Horses.Black.

My Diligence – Death.Horses.Black.
Release Date: 31st May 2023
Label: Listenable Records
Bandcamp
Genre: Metal, Post-Metal, Doom, Sludge, Psych Metal, Shoegaze.
FFO: Cult of Luna, Meshuggah, Torche, The Ocean, Helmet, Hangman’s Chair.
Review By: Mark Young

One of the wonderful things about reviewing new music is that there is exposure to bands whose music you either have never heard of or a genre that maybe you wouldn’t entertain. Being of the vintage I am, and possessed of a certain lazy attitude to seeking out new music, I am thankful for the opportunity that has been afforded me. That is not to say that every new band is a hit, but it is a positive experience to have, nonetheless.

Speaking of positive experiences, My Diligence has come armed with some belting songs here. Their 4^th album, continuing with the same line-up that brought 2022’s The Matter, Form and Power, has dropped one of THE albums of the year. The three-piece, with its two guitar and drums build, gives it a fluidity that other albums that sit in a similar genre miss. It is May, so I can say that out loud. They have managed to cram each song with those guitar movements that elicit an emotional response, whilst using the clean / not-clean vocal to underscore the change from light into heavier moments. Album opener, Death is chocked full of these and pelts along at a fair lick. Those chord progressions, you will know exactly what I mean when you hear them, simple but incredibly effective and it’s a brilliant kick-off track. Horses keeps on track, not as immediate as Death, but because of that it burns brighter once it takes flight. Going back to the vocals, I know that the clean/not-clean approach is commonplace now and, on some releases, it feels forced but here Cédric Fontaine acquits superbly knowing when to deploy either technique. Black is up next with soaring vocals and some nifty melody lines and those storming progressions once more that add so much. Gabriel Marlier is on fire here, keeping everything tight and controlled whilst Auspicious thumps along, mixing in a fine set of riffs with those razor-sharp melody lines.

Alas, there is an interlude (did I mention my stance on interludes?) which has a lot going for it in how they have put it together, mournful chords, background ambient noise but because they are everywhere at the minute it partially flattens the momentum built but following it up with the 11-minute monster that is Allodiplogaster Sudhausi goes so far In making up for it. Starting slowly with chords that linger for days, gradually building and spreading, becoming more majestic as the clock ticks down. The build is so intelligent you don’t notice how long it is. It’s not repeated patterns for the sake of it, they could have got maybe 4 or 5 songs out of the ideas they display here. It is mint, heavy when it needs to be, subtle other times but just fabulous.

Lucid Alley comes in with the aural equivalent of a jaunty hat, it has a bouncy, almost smiling build that could be taken as a joyous experience. There is something about it that makes it an infectious listen, and it brings us nicely into Sacred Anchor which goes into pop-punk territory until they decide nah lads, that’s boring let’s try something else. Those melodic lines are front and centre until it’s decided to go down another route. This is brilliant that they can change course within the same song three times in the first 2 and a half minutes and make it better each time, and it seems as easy to them as breathing.

This is a class album, from start to finish, yes including the Interlude. It has everything you want in guitar driven music, it is heavy when you want it to be and combined with those progressions that communicate so much, it is an album you will return to again and again.