SO MUCH FOR NOTHING — Livsgnist (review)

SO MUCH FOR NOTHING — Livsgnist album cover Album · 2012 · Depressive Black Metal Buy this album from MMA partners
4/5 ·
J-Man
When a black metal album opens up with the sound of a wailing saxophone, you know that you're probably in for a unique ride - and, in almost every way, that's exactly what Livsgnist is. This, the debut album from Norwegian black metal act So Much For Nothing, is a diverse and exciting record that, while still borrowing from plenty of black metal's trademark qualities, isn't afraid to try some new things. This observation spans, in addition to black metal, influences from post-rock, progressive metal, and even touches of jazz instrumentation will be heard throughout the album. Livsgnist is a rather ambitious record that manages to incorporate many new ideas into black metal, while still maintaining all of the dark atmospherics that the genre is known for. Its appeal to purists may be limited, but this is an excellent purchase for everyone else.

The foundation for So Much For Nothing's music is in depressive black metal (in other words, there won't be very many blast beats or furious tremolo picking on this album), but the band doesn't stick to the conventions of the genre very often. Somewhat similarly to their fellow Scandinavians in Shining, So Much For Nothing does take the genre and run with it - the music on Livsgnist is very polished and well-produced, and there are enough progressive overtones to stand out from the rest of the crowd. Listening to a song like "Suffer In Silence", especially during the disturbing and downright beautiful acoustic middle section, brings Shining to mind, and while I would never label So Much For Nothing as a clone, their music should certainly appeal to fans of the aforementioned 'suicidal' black metal act.

Livsgnist is a stunning debut in virtually every regard, and this is a highly recommended album for any fan of forward-thinking and progressive black metal. So Much For Nothing offers a platter of black metal that not only sounds haunting, beautiful, and skillfully composed, but also quite original. This is a real winner in my book, and I have no hesitation in saying that this is one of 2012's biggest highlights thus far. A truly excellent album, and a very recommendable purchase for fans of Shining, Opeth, and Enslaved.
Share this review
more

Review Comments

Post a public comment below | Send private message to the reviewer
Please login to post a shout
No shouts posted yet. Be the first member to do so above!

Review Index

Member Zone

Username:
Password:
Stay signed in

Metal Subgenres

Artists Alpha-index

MMA TOP 5 Metal ALBUMS

Rating by members, ranked by custom algorithm
Albums with 30 ratings and more
Master of Puppets Thrash Metal
METALLICA
Buy this album from our partners
Paranoid Heavy Metal
BLACK SABBATH
Buy this album from our partners
Moving Pictures Hard Rock
RUSH
Buy this album from our partners
Powerslave NWoBHM
IRON MAIDEN
Buy this album from our partners
Rising Heavy Metal
RAINBOW
Buy this album from our partners

New Metal Artists

New Metal Releases

Suffocated By Fungal Odors Deathcore
VISCERAL EXECRATION
Buy this album from MMA partners
Lethargy Metalcore
HEARTLAPSE
Buy this album from MMA partners
Vitriol Deathcore
BEHEADING THE ICON
Buy this album from MMA partners
Cecità Atmospheric Sludge Metal
NITRITONO
Buy this album from MMA partners
Resiliencia Metalcore
SOURCE OF MYSTERIES
Buy this album from MMA partners
More new releases

New Metal Online Videos

Suicidal Tendencies - Send Me Your Money
SUICIDAL TENDENCIES
UMUR· 10 hours ago
Suicidal Tendencies - Trip at the Brain
SUICIDAL TENDENCIES
UMUR· 10 hours ago
Suicidal Tendencies - Nobody Hears
SUICIDAL TENDENCIES
UMUR· 10 hours ago
Suicidal Tendencies - You Can't Bring Me Down
SUICIDAL TENDENCIES
UMUR· 10 hours ago
Thanatos - Source Of Mysteries (Video Oficial)
SOURCE OF MYSTERIES
Bosh66· 1 day ago
More videos

New MMA Metal Forum Topics

More in the forums

New Site interactions

More...

Latest Metal News

members-submitted

More in the forums

Social Media

Follow us
Follow us on Twitter Become a Facebook fan RSS Feed