“It is probably the most niche subgenre within the ranks of extreme metal, but also the one that can bring out some of the strongest feelings when it comes to music.”
Scottish black metallers Dreich are quite a rare case when it comes to some trivial aspects. Their EP Edicius is the depressive suicidal black metal (DSBM) quintet’s (you read that right!) first offering, which, curiously enough, means “suicide” backwards. In case you’re not familiar with the subgenre, DSBM focuses on existentialism, misanthropy, loneliness, isolation, despair, and ultimately death and suicide. It is probably the most niche subgenre within the ranks of extreme metal, but also the one that can bring out some of the strongest feelings when it comes to music. Moreover, bands and projects in the genre like Xasthur, Shining, or Trist have built a respectable fanbase worldwide, large enough to make a serious thing out of it.
Unfortunately, at first glance, Dreich is also regular when it comes to what matters most, and that’s relatable music. While Edicius wears the shoes of fear, emptiness, and despair (sorry, Napalm Death!), they are a bit too large to go unnoticed. The first track, “Cold”, is such an example. Instead of showing what the band can truly be, it opts to start off OK, but just not great: slow evolves into mid-tempo and returns to slow once again. Truth be told, the following track, “Sharing Death”, properly compensates for the less than exciting first one, and it’s with this one that we begin to see what the Scots are up to. The beautiful, melodic guitar parts make us want to hear more, to feel more. It’s a grower. By the sixth or so listen, we start to find bits and bobs that make the EP hold in place.
The next couple of tracks are OK-ish plus, but nothing that beats the second one. We weren’t expecting the last track, however, which only adds to the uneasiness and unpleasantness that Dreich finally reveals. “Propria Manu Mori” is Edicius’ stroke of genius, which consists of a monologue reading Jane Austen’s suicide letter, like a painting hanging on a wall built by Coil, :zoviet*france:, Tangerine Dream, Aphex Twin and so many ambient and experimental artists. Now THIS is what the DSBM pathos is all about: feeling entranced, hypnotised, and helpless! While it’s not the type of song that can do much for those wanting to know the band better, it is some sort of signature that will make people remember Dreich. If you leave it playing, the result will be a strange form of peacefulness. But isn’t that what death is?
While Dreich’s debut recording is by no means an instant classic, it has something that makes us want to know more, be it the melodic sense of composition or the truly uncompromising stance of the band. Listen to it with the low volume of white noise and with the lights out. No need to thank us.
