Anagnorisis are a post-black metal band from the US and this is their fourth album.
Caregriever brings together a variety of extreme metal elements into a compelling 41-minute post-blackened framework. Anagnorisis have been absent a decade, but Caregriever gives us reason to be thankful they have returned, albeit in dark circumstances.
Caregriever carries a harrowing subject matter that imbues all aspects of the music with deep emotion, and that’s putting it mildly. Anagnorisis cover a spectrum of feelings and moods across the record, all derived from an underpinning inspiration that forces the listener to feel it keenly. Whether it’s rage, loss, heartache, or much else, Caregriever is black metal fuelled by the harsh reality of disease.
Despite the obvious horror and suffering that have been the muse for Caregriever, Anagnorisis have struck gold on the new album. This becomes immediately apparent as soon as you start listening to it, but that’s only the beginning; Caregriever is instantly striking, yet over time only becomes more and more impactful.
The music is raw with feeling. It’s like having your face held close to the emotional sander, yet Caregriever is not a record without beauty or grace. The music combines both aggression and atmosphere, fusing these two halves into eight different shapes that all have something to say, something to effectively portray individually.
It’s a remarkably affecting work. The well-written songs bleed passion through every painful pore, all the while maintaining a focused structure and commitment to worldbuilding that’s impressive. The needle-thin screams are performed with an intensity that could burn worlds, while the guitars seem to be made of pure distorted emotion. The album’s entire musical package is strong and carefully considered though, and the band’s talents shine through in the material.
Stylistically, there’s a lot going on, but it’s all tied together with skilled songwriting and tasteful judgement. Anagnorisis use a base of atmospheric, progressive, and blackgaze-influenced black metal. They then build on this in places with select punk, doom, and industrial-infused bursts. Taken together, it is holistically well-realised and sounds like a very complete, well-rounded album.
Caregriever is a powerful record. It’s hideously vibrant and relentlessly potent. Boasting a diversity of delivery that’s enviable, and powered by a heart of undimmed anguish, Anagnorisis have produced the type of record that will stop you in your tracks. If you’re reading this, seek out Caregriever immediately and dive deeply into its darkness.
Essential.
