Review by Sonny for Mesarthim - The Degenerate Era (2020)

Just for the record, Mesarthim haven't started making albums about social commentary. The Degenerate Era is, in fact, a posited astronomical era when the universe no longer makes new stars and is populated by "degenerate" stars like black holes, neutron stars and brown and white dwarfs.

First track, Laniakea (the name of the galactic supercluster that is home to the Milky Way) is the album's longest track at nearly 15 minutes and is a sweeping track that takes some interesting turns including a section that sounds like an 80's arena-rock riff and some gentle minimalist ambient synth work nestling in amongst the more usual expansive and symphonic atmo-black paeon to the awe-inspiring majesty of the cosmos.

The title track is a far more ominous-sounding affair with the doom metal pacing of the first half generating a portentous atmosphere illustrating the darker, colder condition of the universe during this "Degenerate Era". Mind you, around the five minute mark it lets loose with a real buzzing blast followed by a solo that inexplicably reminds me of Brian May (?!) and ending with a nice trance coda.

Time Domain, despite the urgency of the vocals is a melodic and particularly upbeat track. The nine minutes of Paradox follows a very similar template, yet sounds even more savage whilst still maintaining a pleasing melody. Final track 618 is more of a trance-led track and is a satisfying closer to the album.

Mesarthim proves once more to be a unique voice within the black metal community, his huge sweeping sonic canvases perfectly balance a tension between cold black metal savagery and a warmer melodic side with trance-influenced electronica that just works so well.