So Hideous, My Love… - To Clasp a Fallen Wish with Broken Fingers (2011)

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As one of the most interesting albums we have received this summer, So Hideous, My Love’s debut EP “To Clasp a Fallen Wish with Broken Fingers” delivers one of the best Post-Black Metal releases we have ever heard from the USA. With four crushing sounds, this EP will surely get the band some attention and build momentum for their hopefully soon return with a full-length release.

The second element that makes this band so interesting is the combination of classical music elements with Post-Black Metal. While this has been done in virtually all other genres of Metal, it sounds very well crafted and perfectly fitting for Post-Black Metal of this caliber. The instrumentation comes as the stronger element of the band’s sound and quickly allows the listener to shift their attention away from the sub par vocals.

The opening track “Handprints of Glass” nicely builds up momentum, and fully explodes into chaotic Black Metal and some hefty cello usage. This creates a very balanced sound allowing the brutality of the music to perfectly live in harmony with the classical and more ‘calm’ elements. In the second track “Prelude in G Sharp Minor” we have some self-masturbation in terms of composing nice ‘neo-classical’ pieces but not real substance when it comes to the momentum of the release (however, this song is still a good listen).

“However boldly their Warm Blood Split” is a very effective piece with a similar whirlwind of emotional music and elements, like the second half of the first track. The raw and powerful effect of the vocals contrasted with the classical arrangements is just majestic in some passages of this song. Also, the clean passage around the two minute mark is very effective to keep the listener engaged.

Closing up with the EP’s title track, the band sets a different tone for this very powerful (and our favorite) song. The struggle between the vocals, heavy guitars and the string instruments is near perfection. We believe that this is the perfect example of leaving on a high note, and we will surely be waiting for the band’s future releases.

If you are looking for something more substantial than your average Black Metal release, check this album out. Yeah, the song names are pretentious and are copying much from the Post-Rock play book but if the music is good, who cares who makes it, right? Head over to the label’s site and get this release for 5 bucks!

Band: So Hideous, My Love… Album: To Clasp a Fallen Wish with Broken Fingers
Label: Play the Assassin

Release: June 21st, 2011

Oficial Site myspace
Genre: Post-Black Metal

Country: USA

Rating: 88/100
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