Much like the best Lynchian art, Ascension’s latest batch of orthodox black metal rituals is rich with meaning and dense with artistic expression. Hell, the German act don’t even hide their love of David Lynch, as lead-off intro “Garmonbozia” is named after the eerie creamed corn-like ooze in Twin Peaks. That symbol of edible pain and suffering is a perfect segue into Ascension’s third musical act, a record embraces that which we cannot see and pushes forward into the abyss. It doesn’t hurt that the German act have certainly matured as songwriters, as well.
While their two previous releases established a fairly standard, albeit exceptionally vicious, orthodox black metal template, Under Ether embraces some outside influences to enhance the musical might. Haunting and dissonant death metal play along with the type of eerie blackened atmosphere bands would kill for. It’s a simplification, but when Ascension are at peak efficiency, I’m reminded of Watain, early Morbid Angel, Deathspell Omega, Blut aus Nord, and Ulcerate. At no point does the band aim to be as musically adventurous or experimental as the latter acts mentioned, but that spirit of taking music to all types and levels of extremes elevates the music to a different plane altogether.
Part of what has made Ascension interesting over the years is their insistence that they take the occult spirituality seriously; these songs are intended as exercises in some type of occult ritualistic activity. The band’s past releases weren’t there as shock value so much as they aimed to transport the listener through a portal of music that is equal parts pleasing and horrifying. With that in mind, Under Ether is clearly their best interpretation of that mindset. At no point is Ascension’s latest anything less than riveting – most notably in songs like “Ecclesia” and Thalassophobia”, which bombard the listener with an impressive density of sound.
While so much noise could be distracting or overwhelming in lesser hands, Ascension utilize the occult as an underpinning that keeps everything together. Twin Peaks is so affecting because it seems so normal until it absolutely isn’t. The horror exists in a level that is almost subconscious in its subtlety. Under Ether isn’t exactly subdued, but it doesn’t beat its evil over your head like so many black metal bands do. Instead, impressive songwriting meets with almost catchy musicianship – some legit riffs and leads abound throughout the album – to create something that is impressive and memorable. It takes some time to appreciate, certainly, but Ascension’s latest will stay with you, if you let it.
