Band – Thermohaline
Album – Maelström
Country of Origin – International
Genre – Avant Garde Black Metal
Release Date – January 23, 2021
Label – Independent Release
Author – Hayduke X
From deep in the depths of the ocean, three otherworldly individuals met to capture the very essence of this unknowable darkness. After meeting in the Order Ov The Black Arts Facebook group, the potent trio of Ignacio Elias Rosner (IER), Lennart Janssen (Druon Antigon), and Nuno Lourenço (0-NUN, Salqiu). According to what I’ve been told, the breakdown of roles is fairly unique, in that all three of them contribute to all parts of the album. They all add some guitar, all contribute to vocals, each adds drums and various other elements. Perhaps that is part of why this album is so mind bending.
Regardless of causes, Maelström is just that: Mind bending! Starting from a basis of black metal, the triumphant triumvirate add unique rhythms, destructive riffing, strange time signatures, bizarre instrumentation (accordion anyone?), and much more. And you know what? It works! Every single note of this masterpiece works. In the metaphor above, I suggested that the three had captured some dark, mystical essence of the deep. They may have literally done just that.
Maelström is one of those albums that is difficult to write about, because it is so complex, so exceptional. It is better by far to immerse yourself in its icy depths, give yourself over to the deep waters, surrender to the pull of the current. Perhaps in doing so, you will unlock some door in your own depths. Perhaps you too will feel the call of the Leviathan.
Biography: Hayduke X has been writing for MoshPitNation since June of 2016. He is also a contributor to The Metal Wanderlust. Prior to joining the MoshPitNation team, Hayduke published reviews on his own blog Rage and Frustration. In addition, he has DJ’ed an online metal radio show of the same name as his blog, written for TOmetal.com, done interviews for Metal Rules, and collaborated with The Art of B Productions to create video interviews with a wide variety of bands.
