Black Boned Angel - Verdun (Album)
Verdun marks the impressive return by Black Boned Angel. This battle-inspired album is the fourth full-length release from the Wellington band and continues their legacy of drone metal domination. Often compared with Corrupted, Sunn 0))) and Earth, BBA have managed to distance themselves with this fifty-two minute assault of dark devastating landscapes. Inspired by the WWI Battle of Verdun, BBA have managed to give justice to what was one of the most deadly battles in history.
The maturity of the band is evident in Verdun in comparison with their previous releases Eternal Love, Christ Send Light and The Endless Coming into Life. It seems that with this record Campbell Kneale has tried to transcend the origins of the group and really push the limits of their experimental inclinations.
While their trademark ambient drones and doom-laden riffs are present, there seems to be an added bleakness, possibly a reflection of Knealešs desire to really connect with the tragedy of the German-French conflict.
The desire to create a compelling and building narrative is evident in the fifty-two minute, one-track, Verdun. It begins with long gloomy passages of silence that are interjected with kick-drum notes. The randomness of these beats put the listener on edge and creates a sense of foreboding. Kneale slowly builds this tension through layers of discordant guitar notes that seem to menace and creep until occasional wails strike forth.
Suddenly, the noise descends and listeners are returned to silence that once again slowly disappears in the place of lone notes that break the silence. These notes seem to stand as a call to action that is answered with the inclusion of a choral ensemble. This intelligent addition to the score adds a godly, transcending quality that moves past the physical war to the conflict of morality and humanity that the original battle destroyed.
Upon reaching the final ten minutes the doom and staggered pace is replaced with a jumble of noise and terror created by electric notes and samples of gun shots and wails. Almost bordering on static this section builds and gathers in a disorientating movement that ends abruptly in silence.
While at times such an elaborate and conceptual album comes across at self-indulgent and egocentric it seems that in Knealešs case it is more the pursuit of perfection that has led to such a highly crafted and realised LP.
