Many Blessings - Emanation Body Review

Noise channels a different style of heaviness than rock or metal. Where those guitar-driven genres rely mostly on overdrive, distortion, and gain, the electronic world of noise finds its heaviness in metalized waves of all sorts of varieties. These styles however do share one thing; their broad spectrum of sound. Take progressive metal groups with shiny, extremely clean instrumentation and vocals comparatively to something like Ulcerate, whose music is sonically and rhythmically complex that comprehending it is a challenge. In noise, this is also present. A group like Yellow Swans takes beautiful melodic ideas and throws them into a blender to pierce through the layer of harsh static, whereas Many Blessings takes a much more atmospheric approach to the style. 

On the sophomore release by the frontman of extreme sludge metal band Primitive Man, Ethan Lee McCarthy, I was surprised with what I experienced. Primitive Man live was one of if not the loudest and most intense bands I have ever seen, and their music reflects that. Filled to the brim with caustic hatred and vile scorn, the two full-lengths and many splits by band continue to bewilder me with their heaviness. But ELM brings something extremely different here. Emanation Body is very bare-bones, at least in sound. Unlike most of the noise I frequent (Yellow Swans, Prurient, choose one of many power electronics groups), Many Blessings is seemingly based on atmospheric loops and slow builds. Sure, there is constantly "noise," but this release feels much more reserved than its contemporaries. While I wouldn't go so far to describe it as ambient, it shares that vibe, especially the first two tracks.

"Invocation" opens off the album, and I was immediately taken off guard. Yes, its noise, but it sounds like something taken directly from Nine Inch Nails' newest album, Ghosts VI: Locusts (which I reviewed alongside the other half of the double album). While a lot less direct than cuts like "Turn This Off Please" and "A Really Bad Night," the repeated uncomfortable melody matched with the rumble of static in the back fits the bill. The occasional bass hit on this song is also somewhat jarring as it keeps the track moving, where most noise drops you into a white noise sea without a boat. The following cut, "Immersion," matches this tradition, and does a fine job at keeping the ten minutes it occupies refreshing and engaging. I say this, but overall the track is not one of the standouts. The way this track flows is really nice, crescendoing around the three minute and eight minute mark respectively, but the sections are somewhat lackluster in terms of substance. 

The third track of the five, "Pandæmonium," is right up my alley. Shifting and haunting bells open the track, leading to a warbling and unrelenting bout of harsh noise that is as piercing on the ears as one can imagine. Its build and massive crescendo are easily the strongest among the tracks. The screams at the end of the song only add to the unease created by the sonic palette laid out by ELM. Following this is "Ruina," another harsh noise-esque endeavor. The shortest song at four and a half minutes, its mostly stagnant saw wave is extremely grating, but in the best way it can be. Similar to the end of the previous song, the anxiety is high in this track and does not let up for its entirety.

"Harm Signal" is probably the most varied track in the bunch, and benefits greatly from it. It has a bit of atmosphere, harsh noise, melody, and rhythm in it, and rumbles throughout its nine-minute runtime with grace and glory. Another good track, it is another well-executed noise track by ELM. This album is good. It's hard to explain because I don't know if music like this is really intended to be analyzed. Noise is heavily reliant on the atmosphere and feelings it creates, and therefore I don't think I have done the best of my ability to describe Emanation Body. It is high angst and a suspenseful listen, but like most of the genre it occupies, there is only so much engagement that can be taken from it. Its great music to have an anxiety attack to or just to vibe on a night of anger and condescension. 

Final Rating: I wish I knew electrical engineering at any level.

Favorite Tracks: "Pandæmonium," "Ruina," "Harm Signal"

FFO: Ramleh, The Caretaker, David Lynch

Track List

1. "Invocation"

2. "Immersion"

3. "Pandæmonium"

4. "Ruina"

5. "Harm Signal"

You can support ELM on his Bandcamp.