KILTE : ABSENCE
Eisenwald
Kilte are a Belgian act who have been active since 2003, and “Absence” has a little bit of history behind it, having existed previously as a limited tape release, a heavy-duty (and lovely) bit of vinyl, and, before that, as an EP on the rather notorious GoatowaRex imprint. Still, it’s this incarnation that you should seek out, as it’s been painstakingly recovered from the original master, for the first time “as it was supposed to be”. We’re also treated to demo versions of two of the tracks, which, along with being a nice touch for the completist, help to define the band’s evolution.
The centrepiece of the EP is ten-minute epic “The True Beauty of Our Absence”, a title which contracts of the band’s striking philosophy that “the world’s true beauty lies within the darkness of our absence”. As you’d imagine, the musical expression that hinges on this sombre outlook is depressive and desolate, full of doom-paced repetition, foggy effects and ethereal yet nihilistic atmospheres. There are some powerful contrasts at play in this main track; that between the hellishly distorted screech of a vocal that reminds me a little of Autopsy Kitchen favourites Ensepulchred, and the expansive, beautiful but ultimately mired-down movement created by the keyboards is especially striking. If you’re a fan of Quebecois miserablism, Kilte’s ability to keep switching into something even more lamenting and misanthropic at every turn will please you no end.
Of the other two tracks on offer, “Haar Laaste Traan” is most similar to the opener, moving slowly and murkily, and making the most of a purposefully difficult production. “Eindeloos Verval” begins in surprising cleanness, and uses a meaningful, distorted lead to evoke its sadness over a mature, string synth counterpoint. It’s repetitive structure seems to deny hope of an escape from the dark and cheerless atmospheres Kilte succeed in creating, and allows lots of room for some introspection and gloominess of your own.
In comparison to the demo versions, both “Haar Laaste Traan” and “Eindeloos Verval” sound more sophisticated – the percussion is more focused, and the synths have a better tone – but it’s not as if this band started off bad; indeed, if you like the harshness of their sound, the rougher production sound of the earlier versions might even be preferred. Despite its recent resurrection by Eisenwald, “Absence” is now five years old; that it doesn’t sound dated is definitely to Kilte’s credit. Their edgy, challenging funeral black metal is both classy and engaging, and I hope this re-release might signal some further material from them soon.
79/100
ELLEN SIMPSON
