Anomalie – Tranceformation
Release Date: 26th November 2021
Label: AOP Records
Bandcamp
Genre: Folk, Black Metal, Post-Black Metal, Rock.
FFO: Manes, Korn (early 90’s,) Satyricon.
Review By: David Oberlin
Four albums into a blistering career, and Austria’s Anomalie are pedalling darkness and decay on a new level compared to their dark past. Abandoning, for the most part, the harsh enunciation in the vocals of their parental genre (Black Metal.) With cleaner and more personable lyrics. If this album was released twenty years ago, it would be considered avant-garde. As it is, blackened metal with melodic consequences may just have to suffice. Melodic consequences with some seriously hot rhythmic tendencies.
Titled Tranceformation this album might appear to be a blackened art piece on its surface, but its roots delve deeper than that. There was a time when black ‘n’ roll was a perfectly sensible thing to suggest to your friends. Post-black metal, black ‘n’ roll sounds like a leftists wet dream. At least when taken out of context. Black ‘n’ roll gives an air of American country music to the genre, which in turn is really just a fancy and contemporary description of folk. However, when we talk about modern folk music, what are we talking about? Nu-metal.
For all its classic instrumentation, Tranceformation sounds like it took its drum patterns from the dawn of Nu-Metal. Anomalie puts these thunderous beats to task and create a beast of a sound, where the methodical approach in rhythm almost counters the ferociousness of the main guitar riffs. Ironic that a form made nearly thirty-years ago is again helping to bring fresh air to a stagnating genre. But, contrast is key, and this album has its priorities dialled in right.
Tranceformation by Anomalie is a powerful and deliberate album. Its structure is solid and tracks flow unhindered by track titles. While it is not a prog album, it is certainly progressive. And, a step in a brighter direction for this gruesome twosome. 
(3 / 5)
