November 14, 2010

Reviewer: Jesse

I wonder why no one ever does a split demo or refer to their contribution to a split as “demo material” when sometimes, the songs are clearly not finished products.  Whatever you want to call it, the tracks on this split from two Israeli black metal bands (Undivine Essence and Nature’s Elements) are very “demo” in quality, so I wouldn’t think that either band would be too offended if I consider this a “split demo.”  The reason I say that is because I hear a lot of raw talent, but there either isn’t enough on display here (which is the case with Undivine Essence) or it’s so poorly recorded that you wouldn’t want to shop this around to labels (which is the case with Nature’s Elements).

Let me start with the latter band.  Nature’s Elements’ side to this split is bad and whoever was in charge of the production should be embarrassed.  On the song “I.P.O.S.” the bass guitar sound is so hilariously awful that I seriously can’t believe that no one scrapped the recording and demanded that it be done again.  You can’t even hear the guitars because the bass sounds as if it’s being plucked like a bowstring as hard as possible.  Thwap thwap thwap over and over.  It almost sounds like some kind of bizarre sound effect from a movie.  I’m going to give the guy the benefit of the doubt and assume that he actually can play the bass, so with that, do I also draw the conclusion that this was intentional?  If so, guys, seriously, stop it.  If not, holy crap, get another bass player.  The other song, “Odhin” has basically the same problem except that it’s even more spastic and is just a complete mess.  Irritating, thwapping, gurgling bass guitar going haywire throughout the song.  That said, the two songs from Nature’s Elements are actually decent if you pay attention to what’s trying to happen throughout them.  There’s some clear talent going on in the song-writing department, but that talent is going to go unseen if they don’t address some other glaring issues. Their side of the split gets a 1.5 star rating.

Now to the former band.  Here’s a Jekyll and Hyde situation if I’ve ever heard one when it comes to two different songs on the same side of a split.  Undivine Essence is going to have to make a decision on what road they want to go down in the future seeing as this is their first ever recorded material.  The first song, “Crimson Sky,” is flat-out excellent and wholly impressive.  It’s shocking, actually.  A ten-plus minute, mid-paced, atmospheric and melancholic black metal song that will have you thinking of a demo version of bands like Fen and even Agalloch at times.  The talent is definitely unpolished, but talent there is and it’s in abundance.  The second song, “New Shape,” is, well… different.  It’s less than half the length and is very punk-like.  Fast and rocking with some clean vocals alternating the raspy vocals and honestly doesn’t even sound like the same band.  This is pretty typical when it comes to demos though, so I’m not surprised. They’re trying to feel out their own strengths and limits to see what they want to do.  Let me just tell you right now; if Undivine Essence goes on to record a full-length in the vein of “Crimson Sky,” I’m in.  I’m in big time.  If they go the route of “New Shape,” then I won’t even bother.  Either way and as far as this split is concerned, “Crimson Sky” is a winner which gets their side of the split a 3.5 star rating.  Might want to do something about that logo too.  It looks very “80s thrash” and is misleading.

Release Date: June 10, 2010
Label: Band Self Released

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Undivine Essence / Nature's Elements - Split

Undivine
Essence

Nature's
Elements

TRACK LISTING

Undivine Essence
     1. Crimson Sky
     2. New Shape
Nature's Elements
     3. Untitled 16
     4. I.P.O.S.
     5. Odhin

Total playing time:  32:10