Way To End | ‘Desecrated Internal Journey’

If the French are notable for anything metallic in recent years, it’s been their effort in bringing Black Metal into new sonic territories. Blut Aus Nord may be the most obvious example, but there’s plenty going on in more obscure corners - such as Way To End.

They’ve got a goldmine of influences from mid-nineties weirdness in particular. So while their sound is dense, complicated and somewhat ramshackle, the band’saspirations toward Solefald’s ‘Linear Scaffold’ shine through.

Then there’s the Ulver connection. ‘Nattens Madrigal’ is referenced particularly strongly through the lead guitar melodies that weave constantly over the top of the wandering basslines. Acoustic snippets remind strongly of ‘Bergtatt’ as well.

It certainly isn’t a straightforward listen. It’s a rewarding one though, with its sound owing much to both European and Scandinavian underground traditions. In that respect, the sounds of ancient Ved Buens Ende and Borknagar are intertwined with the progressive minds of bands like …And Oceans and Seth.

So it’s a tough nut to crack. A little bit of perseverence though will be rewarded with an album that brings you back to much darker and more meaningful underground days. One listen to ‘At The Threshold’ should do the convincing, should you need any more. It’s cascading, difficult and obscure black metal, played with intelligence and conviction. Good for eggheadbangers everwhere.

3.8 / 5 - Ciaran Tracey ::: 21/12/09