Style: Hypnotic black metal
Primary Emotions/Themes: Repetitive riffs that lead to a trance like effect, the meaninglessness of life
Thoughts: Mgla is an interesting band for me. For many years I've heart this album and my reaction has been an overwhelming meh. Nothing stood out, nothing grabbed my attention. It was just an overwhelmingly mediocre experience.
Fast forward to a few days ago when I was watching drumming videos and came across one of Darkside playing Exercises in Futility V. The symbol work blew me away. The basic beat was so basic, but where he really shone was in the small details. He would make accents on the two ride symbols or the small bell that he has. The combination was intense and watching him do it live was an incredible experience.
It was enough for me to revisit the album with a fresh set of ears. To say that it changed my appreciation for this record is a bit of an understatement. It's gone from an overwhelming meh to an album that has been on repeat for about three days straight at the time of this writing.
This album embodies "complexity through simplicity." There are layers upon layers of things to unpack here that I never noticed before. Let's start with the obvious part: the drums. While the heart of the drumming is simplistic, it's the small accents that Darkside gives to each of them that makes them engaging. They are so small that they are easily missed but, if you pay attention they are there - and they add a profound amount to the music.
Listen to the opening riffs of Part I and the small ride accents that are given in between each of the riffs repetitions. Hear how perfectly they fit with the music? It's not an accident. They fit so well that it's easy to miss, but man if you are listening with intent it's a whole new album.
When the blasting finally comes in on the same song the riff picks up and the drums match with an incredibly well controlled blast beat. It's not fast, it doesn't try to overwhelm the listener. It only does what is needed to drive the song forward... absolute precision.
That leaves the riffs. These things embody everything that black metal is known for. Simplistic riffs that repeat over time. Hypnotic sways that never let the listener out of their grasp... and every now and then they may just blow you away.
That aforementioned blasting section in Part 1... yeah that one gets stuck in my head for hours at a time. Everything is so simple, but it's so perfect. Everything fits like a Swiss watch, there are no accidents here. Everything is planned with the utmost care.
Exercises in Futility is anything but. This album is compelling in a devious and deceptive way. Listening to it casually does not do the performance justice. You need to listen for the small details hidden in the guitars and drumming, only then does the true genius of Mgla stand out. I think I finally get it.
Written February 22nd 2024
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