I’ve always been a sucker for dark imagery, misanthropic views, and depictions of a shattered world. Black metal is usually marketed with these elements at the forefront, so it should come as no surprise that I’m a fan and have delved into the scene and its history. It is with this appreciation and curiosity that I approach the new Watain album, Lawless Darkness.

My first thought is that this album is modern in sound but old school in ideology. The mix is clear while still retaining the undertones of breathless chaos that black metal requires. The lyrics cover death, darkness, and worship of evil forces but are well written enough to not instantly seem silly.

For black metal connoisseurs seeking a more in-depth analysis, I’ll say that this record draws heavy stylistic influence from Dissection (no wonder, seeing as the bands shared members), some riffing and compositional inspiration from Dimmu Borgir (minus the keyboards of course), and some gritty edge from Goatwhore. Much like Dissection, there are many parts that venture into mid-tempo prog-death, with a creepy lead guitar at the forefront and a plodding rhythm section to back it up. These parts remind of Opeth, Barren Earth, and Amorphis, exposing the places in which many genres of European metal blend.

The only real mistake Watain made on Lawless Darkness was that they didn’t edit down their songs. Barely any of the tracks are shorter than six minutes. The reason this is a problem is that the style being put forth, although well executed, is nothing we haven’t heard before. Dissection’s Reinkaos, an album very similar to this one in approach, is presented in a much more concise fashion, begging for repeat listens.

Lawless Darkness evokes the mood and imagery that most black metal fans are looking for. I’m sure many die-hards will praise it endlessly. For my own tastes, the songs are just a little too drawn out to keep my attention. That can be a problem for music with this kind of subject matter in particular, because as my focus wanders I find myself scrutinizing song titles such as “Total Funeral”. I mean, have you ever heard of a partial one?

3.0/5