Emptiness - Nothing But The Whole - review
Emptiness - Nothing But The Whole - review
Tracklist
01. Go And Hope02. Nothing But The Whole
03. Behind The Curtain
04. All Is Known
05. Tale Of A Burning Man
06. The Past Is Death
07. Lowland
A review by
Auntie Sahar June 18, 2014
I've always been of the opinion that blackened death is at its best when combining the brutality of death metal with the all-encompassing, often trance like nature of black metal, something that seems to actually be an uncommon formula among many of its bands. Emptiness have taken to this approach somewhat in the past, but Nothing But The Whole feels as though it has finally blossomed in full, with quite splendid results. The atmospheric nature of opener "Go And Hope" sets this mood immediately, making it quite clear that with their fourth full length, Emptiness have evolved into a much more sophisticated songwriting, something far beyond the typical raging nature of the style from which they come.
At many points this heightened sense of atmosphere, as well as the more moderate pacing of tempo that comes with it, makes Nothing But The Whole feel more black than death, especially on "All Is Known" and "Tale Of A Burning Man." However, this can be a bit misleading, because throughout the album Emptiness also flirt around with crunchy riff delivery, drum patterns, and a particular style of guitar leads that all bear an unquestionable death metal influence, such as on "The Past Is Death." This is quite an interesting compositional structure, as it challenges listeners to rethink the blackened death style, and proves to us that there are many influences a band can take from death metal besides pure speed. The production on Nothing But The Whole is nothing short of superior as well: crisp and enveloping, and with an amazing bass that gets plenty of room to rumble along on its own during some of the more relaxed passages.
Furthermore, Nothing But The Whole is nothing short of a mature, engaging album, and could quite likely be the best of the band's career thus far. With their fourth release, Emptiness have put down some of the brutal cliches of extreme metal and are focusing more on how to channel the particular "feels" of both black and death metal into a single, quite astounding whole (and nothing but!). The only complaint I find myself having with this album is that it's good to the point of possibly being unable to be matched in the future, and when that's your only displeasure with a release, you know you've found a gem.
Surrender to the whole.
Rating breakdown
| Performance: | 9 |
| Songwriting: | 9 |
| Originality: | 9 |
| Production: | 10 |
Written by Auntie Sahar | June 18, 2014
Comments page 2 / 2
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Comments:
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 Posts: 5989 |
Posts: 5989 Written by angel. on 19.11.2014 at 14:30 I agree too, but that may just be because at the moment Emptiness has more material to judge by
---- I am the Magician and the Exorcist. I am the axle of the wheel, and the cube in the circle. “Come unto me” is a foolish word: for it is I that go. ~ II. VII
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Posts: 2419 Written by Auntie Sahar on 19.11.2014 at 15:56 Probably, but for now I think the level of creativity in EMPTINESS sound is not comparable with Bolzer. :/
---- The Fangirl.
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Posts: 3651
Fuck. I just wrote a review for this thinking there wasn't one on MS yet. But I guess you had already filled that void. It had Belgian jokes and everything...
---- I hate bonus tracks
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Posts: 5989 Written by Zap on 18.02.2015 at 07:54 Sorry?  At least tell me there was a chocolate reference or two in it
---- I am the Magician and the Exorcist. I am the axle of the wheel, and the cube in the circle. “Come unto me” is a foolish word: for it is I that go. ~ II. VII
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Posts: 40071 Written by Auntie Sahar on 18.02.2015 at 15:28 Doubt it. I am willing to, more or less, bet my left testicle, there are some references to Marc Dutroux 
---- Member of the true crusade against European Flower Metal Yesterday is dead and gone, tomorrow is out of sight Dawn Crosby (r.i.p.) 05.04.1963 - 15.12.1996 
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Posts: 5989 Written by Marcel Hubregtse on 18.02.2015 at 15:38 Damn, didn't even know about that guy til you mentioned him. My serial killer knowledge leaves much to be desired 
---- I am the Magician and the Exorcist. I am the axle of the wheel, and the cube in the circle. “Come unto me” is a foolish word: for it is I that go. ~ II. VII
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Posts: 40071 Written by Auntie Sahar on 18.02.2015 at 16:17 Currently Belgium is more renowned for their serial killing pedophiles than their chocolate. 
---- Member of the true crusade against European Flower Metal Yesterday is dead and gone, tomorrow is out of sight Dawn Crosby (r.i.p.) 05.04.1963 - 15.12.1996
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Posts: 3651 |
Posts: 3651
To quote a brilliant movie: "What's Belgium famous for? Chocolates and child abuse, and they only invented the chocolates to get to the kids." There were references to both, actually
---- I hate bonus tracks
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Posts: 40071 Written by Zap on 18.02.2015 at 18:12 I cahnged my mind, I AM NOT CUTTING OFF MY LEFT TESTICLE.
---- Member of the true crusade against European Flower Metal Yesterday is dead and gone, tomorrow is out of sight Dawn Crosby (r.i.p.) 05.04.1963 - 15.12.1996
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Posts: 18618 Written by Zap on 18.02.2015 at 18:12 Hhahahaha that fucking line. From what movie? I actually did laugh at loud while reading it so I'm interested in the movie.
---- Written by BloodTears on 19.08.2011 at 18:29 Written by Milena on 20.06.2012 at 10:49
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Posts: 40071 Written by X-Ray Rod on 18.02.2015 at 21:04 From In Bruges
---- Member of the true crusade against European Flower Metal Yesterday is dead and gone, tomorrow is out of sight Dawn Crosby (r.i.p.) 05.04.1963 - 15.12.1996
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Posts: 3104 Written by Marcel Hubregtse on 18.02.2015 at 21:05 That movie is hilarious. It's one of those movies that I can watch over and over again without getting less awesome.
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Posts: 3651 Written by X-Ray Rod on 18.02.2015 at 21:04 Yep, as Marcel said; In Bruges. One of my favorite movies. Tragicomedy from Ireland set in Bruges (duh.)
---- I hate bonus tracks
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