Artist: How To Destroy Angels
Title: Welcome Oblivion
Genre: Experimental / Ambient / Soundtrack
Release Date: 15th March 2013
Label: Columbia Records
Album Review
Following their 'An Omen' EP released last November finally the first album of HOW TO DESTROY ANGELS saw the light of day! Of course everybody is talking about NINE INCH NAILS mastermind Trent Reznor when it comes to this project but there are other people involved as well. Namely multi-instrumentalist Atticus Ross, art director Rob Sheridan and last but not least Reznor's wife Mariqueen Maandig, who does the bulk of the vocals for HOW TO DESTROY ANGELS.
After a couple of singles and EPs and some soundtrack contributions 'Welcome Oblivion' is the first full-length of this project. There are four tracks from the 'An Omen' EP which are also featured on this album and if you know the EP you know what to expect here in general, anyway. HOW TO DESTROY ANGELS sound dark and gloomy but yet relaxing and tranquilizing. The beats and bass lines pulsate slowly, there is no track which goes above mid-tempo, and Reznor & Co give their songs enough room to breathe. 'Welcome Oblivion' is a very filmic album which constantly oscillates from horror movie to sweet lullaby and back, sometimes within a short moment.
From the cute but lengthy 'Ice Age' to the sleazy eroticism of 'Too late, all gone' to the ethereal 'We fade away' it's a rather experimental album full of mournful brooding, bleeps and clonks, slowly throbbing percussions and an impressive palette of rich synth sounds. There are no melodic pulls or songs that catch your attention from the first listen. 'Welcome Oblivion' is definitely one of those albums which demand time and need to be explored, but willing listeners will be rewarded with a sonic one-hour trip through dark and haunting atmospheres and some sweet melodies which hold you captivated once you discovered them. Well worth the trip, and I'm sure the advanced NINE INCH NAILS fans will love 'Welcome Oblivion', too!
Tracklist
01. The wake-up
02. Keep it together
03. And the sky began to scream
04. Welcome oblivion
05. Ice age
06. On the wing
07. Too late, all gone
08. How long?
09. Strings and attractors
10. We fade away
11. Recursive self-improvement
12. The loop closes
13. Hallowed ground
Line-up
Mariqueen Maandig - lead vocals, swarmatron, keyboard
Trent Reznor - guitar, backing vocals, keyboard
Atticus Ross - bass and synthesizer
Rob Sheridan - art direction
Website
http://howtodestroyangels.com
Cover Picture
Rating
Music: 8.5
Sound: 9
Extras: -
Total: 8.8 / 10
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