Rising from obscure underground dimensions within Montreal, and inspired by studies of esoteric dark arts, the occult black metal band Blight now invite us to enter their Temple of Wounds, a full-length necromantic experience that will be released by Svart Records on the 5th of June.
In April the band delivered a striking first impression of this, their debut album, by releasing a lyric video for a song called “A Violent Light“. It provided not only an insight into the band’s lyrical themes (which explore “deep facets of inner alchemical transmutation, and antinomian philosophies”), delivered with literary flare, it also revealed an eclectic and arresting dynamism in their music.
And now, we have the opportunity to provide a further sign of what looms within Temple of Wounds as we premiere a lyric video for another song from the album, this one named “Elsewhere & Elsewhen“.
Vocalist/lyricist Gabriel McCaughry introduces the song with these words:
“‘Elsewhere & Elsewhen’ goes straight for the jugular. It was conceived to cut directly through the nonsense and the vapid, in order to unleash the very essence of BLIGHT’s sound. It hints at what lies ahead while showcasing the dynamic approach to song-writing that BLIGHT has become known for: relentless aggression, oppressive heaviness, and an ominous atmosphere created by the lyrical narrative.
“The visual concept behind the lyric-video for ‘Elsewhere & Elsewhen’ draws inspiration from metaphor; it explores the poignant clash between phantasmagoria and disenchantment that lies at the heart of the esoteric pursuit.”
There is unrelenting intensity in the song, yet that intensity manifests in different ways as the drum patterns, the chords, and the voices change. That intensity is unmistakable, and comes through in the burn and boil of feverish riffing and thunderous drumming, in melodies that resonate with despair and desolation, in the eerie delirium of dissonant arpeggios and inflamed wailing tones, in skin-shivering guitar vibrations that channel chilling menace and tyrannical cruelty, in the music’s feelings of fervent desire and savage disgust. It is accurate to say, as Gabriel has, that the song amalgamates savage aggression, oppressive heaviness, and a deeply chilling atmosphere that complements the esoteric lyrics.
The vocals are themselves configured to well-represent these changing forms of intensity — of reverence, desire, disgust, and ferocity. They range from deep, ominous choral chants to extravagant cries, scorching screams, and vehement roars, no less intense at any point than the mutating intensities of the music.
As for the video, you can think about the lyrics for yourselves, and they are indeed thought-provoking, and if you’re interested in the scenes included within it, they include snippets taken from these films: Der Golem [The Golem] (1915), Körkarlen [The Phantom Carriage] (1921), Häzan [Witchcraft Through the Ages] (1922), Un Chien Andalou [An Andalusian Dog] (1929), and Le Testament d’Orphée [Testament of Orpheus] (1959).
If you haven’t yet heard that previous track, “A Violent Light“, we’ve included the lyric video for it along with today’s premiere. As we wrote when first encountering it, the song delivers hard-slugging, heavyweight power that will give your neck a good workout, along with frightening supernatural leads that create a sinister and predatory aura, and extravagant vocal zealotry — a harrowing amalgam of unhinged shrieks and grim abyssal proclamations. But the song also includes gloomy clean vocals that are quite good and eerie rippling arpeggios that contrast with the bursts of chaotic dementia. As in the case of today’s premiere, it’s a multi-faceted song, one that creates a pronounced occult atmosphere but also delivers swaggering carnal physicality too.
BLIGHT is:
G. McCaughry — Vocals & Lyrics
Pascal Pelletier — Guitars
Cedric Deschamps — Bass
Rob Lapalme — Drums
And the album is available for pre-order now:
PRE-ORDER:
https://svartrecords.com/artist/blight/
BLIGHT:
https://www.facebook.com/blightbm/