Black Lung – NXIVM (Digital Album – Ant-Zen)
Genre/Influences: Experimental, cinematographic, EBM.
Background/Info: David Thrussell (Snog, Crisis Actor ao) is back on track with a new album of his Black Lung project. This work has been introduced as a soundtrack that was commissioned in early 2018 by the Albany, New York based NXIVM group (which is a self-described American multi-level marketing company offering personal and professional development seminars through its ‘Executive Success Programs’.
Content: The album features 15 cuts that have been simply numbered and titled from 1 till 15. Thrussell invites his listeners to walk on a strange sonic path, which sounds definitely experimental, but still revealing a solid space-like exposure. The tracks have been accomplished by numerous astral-like bleeps and atmospheres. It progressively moves towards a real cinematic experience, which even reminds me to Ennio Morricone at “NXIVM XIII”. The album moves in between dreamy parts and darker passages. I also noticed a rather unexpected and vintage driven cut revealing EBM influences (cf. “NXIVM III”).
+ + + : David Thrussell always has been an artist striving for innovation or at least who’s doing things differently. This work clearly sounds as a soundtrack, but it’s a pretty accessible one because of the slow cadence carrying most of the tracks. I also enjoy this astral dimension injecting now some prosperity, but still alternating with darker fragments. This work also reveals great sound treatments and solid bass lines. “NVIVM III” is for sure the most atypical and surprising track from the list, but also a great one. I already mentioned “NXIVM XIII” for a possible link with Ennio Morricone, which might be a weird comparison, but also a truly reference when compared with a Master in the genre!
– – – : I’ve to admit some cuts are a little less too experimental to my personal taste.
Conclusion: Black Lung has already covered and experienced this music genres and influences and therefore every new work remains a bit surprising.
Best songs: “NXIVM III”, “NXIVM XIII”, “NXIVM VIII”, “NXIVM X”.
Rate: (7½).
Artist: www.worldwentdown.com
Label: www.ant–zen.com / www.facebook.com/antzen.official
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