Sydney's Sword Toward Self have carved themselves a rather interesting niché. Technical Death Metal makes up a big part of their sound, while fleeting glimmers of Black Metal occasionally flare, yet both of these extremes are powerfully counteracted with atmospheric interludes (complete with clean vocals). It's almost as if there's three distinct bands contributing to the 17-minute EP yet it all manages to gel - something a lot of bands fusing styles seem incapable of achieving.
It would be easy to call this EP an exercise in musical wankery were in not for the fact that the shamelessly impressive musicianship has purpose. The opening (and self-titled) track of the EP is an apt example of this. The first four minutes are made up of scurrying bass and guitar riffs, with reinforcery drumming driving the message home. Then, out of nowhere, gentle acoustic guitars appear and the track is transformed with a lulling counter to the chaotic mayhem that preceded. A minute later the calm sea of acoustic guitars and bass leads again morphs, as a very memorable melodic Black Metal finale gushes forward. 'Regress/Regret' continues the formula sans-interlude, and the EP is well rounded off with the 5-minute 'Iridescent Wings Of The Ungods'.
If you were to dissect the 17-minute EP into three genre-specific sections, you'd have some straight out Black Metal, plenty of Technical Death Metal and some Folk. This is the biggest strength and weakness of 'Dissolution Mantras'. Those with pretty genre-specific tastes may have troubles digesting the segments that don't appeal much to them but on the flip-side, if what's on offer universally floats your boat, you'll be in aural bliss. Highly worthy of investigation.
Finally, to anyone who has a chance to see these lads live, do so. Even discounting the music itself, seeing this music executed live is jaw-dropping.
- Pyro
(See reviewer's scoring method)
