BY STEVE THIRIOT
"Mea Culpa" is the harrowing second release from Hungarian atmospheric black metal band Frozen Wreath. Rooted deeply in the nihilistic ethos of '90s black metal, the album captures the spirit of genre giants like old Dimmu Borgir, …And Oceans and Catamenia. The seven-track offering from Frozen Wreath isn't just a record; it's a journey into a dark, desolate space where all hope is void.
The album tackles the theme of suicide in an almost narrative fashion, exploring it from various facets and emotions. Given the severe nature of the subject, it is one of the most unsettling albums I've ever listened to; but is likely to be an unforgettable album for anyone who ventures into its bleak landscapes.
Album Highlights:
"Az én vétkem": The album opener is a sonic force, setting the tone for what is a deeply unsettling experience. It drapes the listener in a cloak of melancholy, preparing them for the journey ahead.
"Vénülő kezek": This nearly 10-minute behemoth is perhaps the most emotionally devastating track. It employs agonizingly slow tempo changes that seem to mirror the decaying psyche.
Szabadíts meg a gonosztól: Unlike the rest of the tracks, this one brings in a modicum of pace and instrumentation that momentarily uplifts the atmosphere, perhaps signifying the internal battle of the tormented soul it aims to depict.
Búcsúlevél: The closing track serves as an ultimate farewell, imbued with palpable despair. A remarkable end to a journey that leaves the listener as drained as it is intrigued.
Musically, Frozen Wreath remains true to the atmospheric black metal form, enveloping their piercing shrieks and guttural growls with layered synthesizers and intricate guitar work. The production complements the atmosphere with its lo-fi essence, making it feel like a relic from the second wave of black metal.
"Mea Culpa" is not for the faint-hearted. Its uncomfortable themes and ominous overtones make it one of the most unsettling yet captivating records in recent black metal history. Filosofem Records has truly released a colloquy to human agony and despair, encapsulated in 50 minutes of musical anguish. The album is currently out on CD, with digital platforms to follow suit soon. Listener discretion is strongly advised, but for those who seek to understand the darkest recesses of the human psyche, "Mea Culpa" serves as a grim yet enlightening guide.
"Mea Culpa" offers an intense and jarring emotional experience, and for fans of atmospheric black metal, it is an unsettling yet satisfying plunge into despair.
Listen to the Album on BANDCAMP