Hesperus Dimension - Heathen Harvest webzine

Over the past 8 years or so, the black metal realm has been torn asunder by a string of black metal acts whom are taking the raw edge and coldness in sound to a completely new level, a level that includes industrial elements, thus utilizing machine sounds to ease the human element and drag further the frozen sound into more perverse and destructive territories. Obviously more notable acts have emerged, namely projects such as Dodheimsgard, Aborym, and The Kovenant, but also lesser known projects like La Grande Guignol, The Sprawlcosm, HeritecH, A.N.T.I., and now Hesperus Dimension, though they are nothing new to the genre.

Hesperus Dimension have been dueling it out on the post-black metal digital front for the past 8 years having gotten their start in 2000. The only other known release besides The Cyclothymatic Panopticon, excluding the re-release, is Mental Electricity. That release was originally put out by the band in an edition of 500 copies which quickly sold out and was consequently re-released by Spanish label Goimusic. It was later again re-released with the year added to the title in roman numerals with three bonus tracks. Needless to say, though there has been somewhat of a lack of new material from the band in their career, they have enjoyed a general amount of underground success and have thus captured the spotlight in the eyes of many whom are seeking music of the industrial black metal nature.

When peering into the artwork of the booklet, it should become quite apparent immediately to any horror flick fan that the band take at least a moderate amount of inspiration from the Hellraiser films. Though their bodies are not scarred and tormented like the rest of the Cenobites whom we've become so accustomed to being disgusted by and yet endlessly fascinated with, the puzzle box from the film series is apparent in every image of the band members. Also, there is no brutality as one would come to expect from a hellraiser-influenced act, not a single drop of blood in the artwork. Not a hook, chain, or blade. So perhaps its not as influenced as one may think, but what is known for sure is that this is one strange, interesting release.

The Cyclothymatic Panopticon opens with a saxophone solo over top of some doom-styled opening riffage which is quickly followed by the industrial black metal elements we've come to know and be obsessed by in this genre. Most of this release is strangely paced at midtempo to slowed droning landscapes, something that we're not accustomed to in post-black metal. Usually the riffs are brutal and blasting, taking musicianship to levels that most humans cannot achieve, at least on the drum front. With The Cyclothymatic Panopticon, Hesperus Dimension focuses much more on atmosphere and intentional dementia than hyperblasting and pure raw cold brutality. More so along the lines of Dodheimsgard their more blasting industrial contemporaries like, perhaps, Zyklon. Also worth noting is that their sound is linear moreso than anyone else to Norwegian post-black metallers, last known for their album “Intervening Coma Celebration” on Portugal's Sound Riot Records, Grand Alchemist. The only real gripe that I have is that it would be nice to see these projects take a step away from this dark man in long coats look and venture into different territories like Solefald has taken great pride in doing. With bands seeking such a different view on black metal, it seems pointless to me to take the same visual stance as others.

Regardless, this is a fantastic seophomore EP from another promising underground post-black metal act. We have yet to see what they can do with a full-length, and indeed it would be interesting to see an all-out instrumental onslaught for one track. But with a 3-year hiatus between EP's, we may very well be waiting half a decade for a full-length. In the meantime, check this one out. Its definitely worth it for you mechanical and experimental metal junkies out there.

Sage Weatherford

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