Exiled From Light - There is no beauty left here... (2010)

Exiled from Light is a depressive black metal band hailing from Auckland, New Zealand. Now, when I think of New Zealand I think of two things and neither are actually black metal. First I think of that old Nintendo came called Kiwi Kraze (AKA ‘The New Zealand Adventure’), which was probably one of my most cherished games when I was a little kid, and I also think of the classic kick ass horror movie, ‘Evil Dead,’ which was directed by Peter Jackson. That’s what I think of. Not black metal. Nevertheless with two albums behind him now, Exiled from Light’s one and only member, Mort, may very well get me to start thinking about his band when New Zealand is brought to mind.

Anyway, ‘There is no beauty left here…’ is the latest release from Mort and it comes packaged as a special two CD version. The first CD contains three new songs, which run for no less than thirty eight minutes while the second CD contains three additional new songs as well as three songs from one of Mort’s other side-projects called, ‘Funereal.’ Speaking of side projects it would seem Mort is quite the prolific musician as he has no less than eight other solo side projects (yes, you read that correctly), which at least according to metal-archives are all within the depressive black & ambient black metal genres. Talk about repeating yourself. Anyway, carrying onwards.

Musically as already stated this is depressive black metal and therefore that means slow doomy fuzzed up electric guitars, ominous synth melodies, painfully screamed vocals and a rather crude production job to boot. Admittedly, I don’t listen to music like this very often or even at all since generally I like to feel optimistic in my day to day affairs and because music like this also brings to mind horrible bands like Xasthur, which I was very pleased to see finally gave up and retired, but that’s another story. On the other hand I can honestly feel Mort’s extension of emotion he puts in to his music and that I can totally admire since if you’re labeled a depressive black metal band than you best be able to carry such emotions through your music. Not many bands within this genre are able to do this, not in my opinion at least, and it’s pleasing to hear an artist who actually lives up to his defined genre.

The three bonus songs from Mort’s other band Funereal are (surprise! Surprise!) actually very similar although they seem to have a slightly cleaner production job though the atmosphere is just the same. There doesn’t seem to be any info out there on this band so I have no idea if it’s still going, but considering all of his bands are very, very similar then why not, you know, maybe just do one solo band? Lastly I must also admit the grim artwork created by Neils Geybels is totally spot on and truly reflects the music herein.

So, all in all, if you’re the depressive type or just the sort that enjoys this style of music then I’d really have to recommend this one since it’s surely one of the best I’ve heard out the genre thus far. Now excuse me, I need to listen to something a little more cheery before I feel the need to go and kill myself.