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Artist: BLACKHOLEPIT
Album: Portals
Year: 2008
Let’s take a dive into a new realm, one that promises to be equal to going into a dark abyss with a strangely romantic feel. Yet another project presented by Federico Agrenda (Zordonic and Gorepriest), taking control of vocals, guitar, drum programming, as well as main music composer and lyricist. The album does bring in guest solos with Carlos Santamaria, Gonzalo Gomez and Joaquin "Pittbull" Sosa (working with bands such as Nin Inch Nails, A Perfect Circle and Darkthrone to name a few). This nine track album is something that brings great intrigue to me and hopes the promise is fulfilled.
The first track, ‘Debris’ has an eerie tone that is very otherworldly. The arrangement of sounds are well placed through out. Softer sounds blended with in the harsher tones makes for a good combination though perhaps a bit too repetitive for the length of the song. ‘Osmose‘ starts with sounds that are a bit metallic almost like metal doors closing or fences added with the breathing brings an inner fear. The heavy guitar beats holds the song together the sounds have an almost operatic feels to it. ‘Pitfallen‘comes up after. It starts with a strong beat line drums that are loud they quiet down through the song but remain as strong and steady. The song is layered with accompanying sounds that are almost gong like, in the way they resonate, as well as symbols that add to the lasting chiming sound. Lastly the distorted vocals add an almost frightful tease. ‘Solitude‘ starts with a beat that flows seamlessly into an almost tribal feel add next with a bass that has an almost throbbing sound before taking a head dive into a very industrial sound. The vocals are distorted again but have the slow rhythm to them, breaking only to bring a touch a fear to the song with a growl like sound. The guitar solo throws a whine that invokes horror into the mix, a great composition of sounds that otherwise would be conflicting. The next track, ‘Angel‘, has a more mellow beat and a softer sound. The beat picks up with guitar solos that add a bit of intensity to the song and more distorted lyrics. ‘Eternity‘ has a very steady beat with little changing tones to it. The vocals are the hard part accompanied with the distortions. There is a strange softness to this song which makes it easy to listen to. ‘Gradients’ begins with a guitar and then is paired with a drum beat and cymbals that liven the song. The lyrics are a bit darker, but strangely somehow match well with this beat. ’Blackhole’ opens slowly and progresses into a mid-tempo song. It remains pretty steady the vocals giving it a fast sound, before returning to the same tempo. A bit tedious being such a long song. The final track,’ Submission’, starts at a pretty good speed then slows mid way through with eerie sounds with a constant drumming in the background. The guitar revives the speed, not for long. The lyrics are a bit guttural and continue the style of distortion.
This album has a very Manson-like sound quality to it, so if that is a sound that you like this is good. However this album was a bit boring the same sounds could be found throughout and with the length of the tracks it becomes a sleeping aid. The vocals are always distorted and a bit lost. I was expecting a bit more and am not so happy with this album. I hope that their future albums pick up a bit more, you can hear the potential hidden within they need only bring it out.
Vote: 70 / 100
Review by: Arinne
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1. Debris
2. Osmose
3. Pitfallen
4. Solitude
5. Angiel
6. Eternity
7. Gradients
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