Band:	Decline Of The I
Album:	Johannes
Style:	Black metal, Post-metal
Release date:	March 2021

01. A Selfish Star
02. The Veil Of Splendid Lies
03. Act Of Faith
04. Tethering The Transient
05. Dieu Vide

I spent a lot of time pondering the intricacies of post-black metal in my review of Kevel's Mutatis Mutandis last year. Of the three possible definitions I put forward then, Decline Of The I's Johannes falls squarely into the third category, and what a great and unique fusion of post-metal and black metal it is.

I'm not sure what inspired me to try Johannes; no one recommended it to me, and I've not heard of Decline Of The I previously. I'm pretty sure I just saw it whilst browsing upcoming releases on the database and decided to give it a go, but I'm very glad I made that decision, as it really is a quality record. I would say that the album is black metal first and foremost; whether it's punishing dissonant riffing propelled by blast beats or more eerie, atmospheric territory, the sound here is evil, which is only amplified by the occasional but excellent use of eerie sound effects and background choral vocals, as well as the forceful blackened gutturals. However, this is combined with compelling post-metal song structures, with effective builds in tension and atmosphere, as well as some powerful sludgier riffs. All of it together results in something quite spectacular.

"A Selfish Star" is a slow-burner of an opener, gradually shifting from eerie cleaner guitar to dissonant blackened riffing to ritualistic chanting, before taking an interesting left turn into something more psychedelic, with elliptical keyboards above a section with an almost dark jazz vibe. There's also some slow, dirgy walls of sound as the song comes to a close. These slow bludgeoning sections appear on "The Veil Of Splendid Lies", as do some horror-style keyboards, as well as one of several instances where voice samples are used. "Tethering The Transient" starts off in more blistering fashion, razor-sharp tremolo and blast beats kicking the track off before it shifts to slow blackened dirges, more atmospheric ritualistic chants, and an immense post-metal climax. These songs are inventive, varied and unpredictable, but every new turn Decline Of The I take or new element they throw in works without a hitch.

The previous few songs offer plenty to enjoy, but closing track "Dieu Vide" is really something to behold. Earlier on, the song leans closer towards a band like Obscure Sphinx with its muted yet unnerving cleaner guitar work. As it progresses, the eerie sound effects, choral vocals and sinister vibes mentioned earlier are all brought into the fray as this song traverses its runtime, but there's also atmospheric tom-heavy drumming driving an ominous build towards a blistering blackened assault. This song is almost overwhelming in how densely atmospheric and powerful it is at times; it makes for a colossal conclusion to an immense record.

Decline Of The I weren't on my radar before Johannes, but they are now; this is a creative, at times almost avant-garde spin on the concept of infusing post-metal into black metal, and one that is delivered with consistent excellence. If you like your black metal to be dynamic, unpredictable and imbued with malevolent atmosphere, Johannes is not a record to be slept on.