Nott – Hiraeth
Release Date: 18th August 2023
Label: Silent Pendulum Records
Bandcamp
Genre: Death Metal, Black Metal, Deathcore, Death Doom.
FFO: Ulcerate, Impending Doom, Meshuggah, Immolation.
Review By: Carlos Tirado
Once you lay your eyes upon the Hiraeth cover art, there is no room for doubt – this is one of those albums. Those that irradiate profound depth, gravity, and cruelty, eschewing light-heartedness for a resolute exploration of somber themes (Yes, they must be that wordy too!). Nott is responsible for this journey that wields their artistic prowess to craft a shadowy realm brimming with anger, denial, and desolation. Nott‘s sound is Deathcore’s response to Ulcerate. All this pretentious talk must make you wonder, does this pay off?
This album represents a substantial departure from its predecessor, The Wretched Sounds, a release drowning with an abundance of breakdowns, possibly more than the minutes in each track. Though the atmosphere was captivating, it eventually veered into monotony. In a strategic move, Hiraeth endeavors to avoid this by incorporating moments of hushed anticipation, skillfully juxtaposed with Immolation-esque riffs that eventually give way to the bone-crushing breakdowns reminiscent of Mental Cruelty. The juxtaposition of such subtle and relentless elements is truly mind-blowing.
Nevertheless, while the album embraces a plethora of breakdowns again, it is possible that an excess of such moments may detract from the general sinister feeling that permeates throughout. The moments of breakneck speed are a testament to Nott‘s ability to deliver sheer brutality and focus. One might hope for more exploration within the Progressive side of the band. Instead, these swift interludes yield to ponderous, grueling passages, adding emotional depth to tracks like Torn and Hiraeth. However, it’s worth acknowledging that these languid segments occasionally drag for too long, particularly in longer songs such as Stare or Writhe.
The production quality aligns aptly with the album’s style, oscillating between eerie silences and unrelenting outbursts of anger. Yet, a trait often encountered in modern deathcore is still present – the vocals, although impressive, tend to dominate the mix, becoming overbearing to my poor ear. In the realm of metal, where the vocalist should not matter more than other instruments, this disproportion can feel distracting, even amidst the intense sonic landscape that defines Hiraeth.
It’s evident that Nott has progressed from their prior endeavors, this is a promising stride in the right direction. The album comes close to achieving something breathtaking – a testament to the band’s unique vision. Therefore, assessing Hiraeth is a difficult task, as certain aspects of its execution may not resonate universally, yet the spirit of the album remains fascinating.
(3.5 / 5)
