Tuesday, June 25, 2013

Mars on Earth - Mars on Earth (2001)

Cost: Free
I got this as a freebie in an order, and initially set it aside, thinking that based on the cover it was a non-metal Red Stream release ala Koan or Nightmare Lodge.  I finally look it up months later and am alerted to the fact that it may be a metal release.

For some reason I had a strong notion in my head that this would sound like either Red Harvest or Oxiplegatz.  Nope.  Metal-archives labels this as "industrial black metal," which I think is misleading, as it doesn't really have the percussion-heavy and inorganic feeling normally associated with industrialized metal.  The first intro track is pure ambient, but what follows is black metal punctuated with spacey electronics.  Imagine a harsh-vocalled black metal band with symphonic elements.  Put ambient/electronica in there to replace the keyboards/orchestral effects, and you're getting close.  

This turned out to be a nice little surprise...It's not destined to be a favorite of mine, but it beats Darkthrone emulation any day.  The ambient/electronic influence lends a unique atmosphere but it never overpowers the black metal, and being just a mCD, it doesn't wear out its welcome.

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