This is the debut album from German death metallers Mære.
Featuring ex-members of Ingurgitating Oblivion, …And the Universe Keeps Silent contains 37 minutes of lightless dissonant death metal. The promo blurb mentions bands like Gorguts, Incantation, Morbid Angel, Immolation, Replicant, Phobocosm, and Saevus Finis, so this will give you a good idea of where Mære are coming from.
…And the Universe Keeps Silent is a bleakly black exploration of atmospheric darkness. Viewed through a prism of dissonant textures and mood-based slithering riffs, these five songs enthral through hypnotic rhythms and deviant structures. There’s something disturbingly organic about how …And the Universe Keeps Silent sounds. Coupled with the squirming guitars, this makes Mære’s music a frequently unsettling listen.
Mære are skilled are creating atypical riffs that sound alive with malignant life. The songs are built around such creations, delivering an atmospheric interpretation of dissonant death metal that writhes with sentient pulsing and unearthly movement. The music doesn’t lack in heaviness or aggression, but that’s not the driving force behind its existence. Rather, these are means to an end, with the ultimate goal being to produce engaging music that weaponizes its textured darkness to achieve comprehensive worldbuilding. In this, Mære succeed.
…And the Universe Keeps Silent is a good example of how to play idiosyncratic dissonant death metal with a focus on unnerving atmosphere and an organic sound that feels almost alive. Mære do well with their choice of sound and style, and this is an album that’s worth spending time with.
Wonderbox Metal 