Theosophy - Line Before the Event Horizon

Theosophy is a black metal band from Russia, who formed in 2004.  Their latest album, “Line Before the Event Horizon,” is their seventh full-length album; they have also released a demo, a split, a live album and a compilation.  They have put out a lot of music, but I’ve never heard of them before—that shows the depth of the metal world that someone like me, who has been a metal fan for 25 years, is still coming across well-established bands that were previously known to them. 

The opening seconds of “Path to the Void,” definitely hit me like the North winds.  This song is cold, searing, and 100% against the grain.  This is a fantastic way to start the album because it is, in a way, refreshing.  I listen to (and review) a lot of black metal and although I love the dynamics the genre now offers, sometimes I just want something frozen and evil.  That’s exactly what this song gives me. With that being said, it still offers plenty of atmosphere and some killer riffs, especially in the later half. 

Overall, the album is very fast paced and runs through six songs in just under 39 minutes.  That is the sweet spot for this style, and the band gives each song exactly what it needs—no more, no less.  Just because it is grim and frostbitten doesn’t mean it isn’t worthy of attention.  It has a lot of parts that are surprisingly catchy (such as the last minute or so of the aforementioned opening song).  

The mix helps a lot too.  Despite the chaos going on, every instrument can be heard loud and clear including the bass.  Although this isn’t shiny, happy production it also isn’t raw.  I’ve said it before and I’ll always say it again: black metal doesn’t have to be recorded inside of a toilet to be trv and kvlt.  

The album does manage to surprise me, here and there.  The slower tempo, melodic intro of “Shadows on the Earth,” is memorable while also keeping the atmosphere stark.  While the song still has moments of unbridled fury, the inclusion of passages that are melodic and not as hurried really opens up the songs and displays the dynamics the band is culpable of.  

Keeping the album attention grabbing throughout, the band throws in an acoustic intro to “The Glow of Uch-Sumer.”  It’s sullen yet beautiful and fits in wonderfully with the song itself, and the album overall.  When the hammer drops and the heavier parts come in, it all sounds very natural as the song spirals out from here.  This is definitely my favorite song on the album because it nails down an atmosphere of pure destitution while also subtly expanding their sound in a thoughtful, intelligent way. 

The final song, “Voice from the Black,” is probably my second favorite.  It’s monstrous burgeoning moments are a whiplash frenzy of everything that makes black metal so dangerous and unique to metal.  But I’ll be damned if the drums and bass aren’t catchy as hell even as the guitars and vocals rip apart the world it lives in.  A melodic mid-point subtly pushes the song into an atmospheric piece with a simple but very effective guitar solo.  This whole part gave me chills.  The last couple minutes of the song are brutal and breathtaking, all in one fell swoop.

Being that this is my first experience with them, Theosophy’s “Line Before the Event Horizon,” obviously took me by surprise but it's definitely made me a fan of the band, and I can’t wait to dive into their back catalogue.  This album will work for black metal fans who want something violent and miserable while also wanting an album that isn’t afraid to let melody and atmosphere show when needed.  

Rating: Great