Unreqvited - Empathica Review

We talk a lot about prolific artists here. In our review of the new Boris album, we talked primarily about the band's consistent quality among their massive discography, and how rare this is of a case. We also mentioned Merzbow and discussed how the seemingly infinite amount of music made by the one-man project has not all made a pressing mark on the world. While Unreqvited is leagues away from reaching the repertoires that either of those Japanese groups has, the anonymous solo composer is on a solid track to reach them in years to come. Spawning in the mid-2010s, 鬼 (The other alias of the group, meaning 'ghost' in Chinese) has to this date put out five full-lengths, two EPs, and three splits, of which four of those projects were released this year alone. Mosaic II: la déteste et la détresse was released in January, alongside a split with comrade-in sound Sylvaine, the latter of which I enjoyed a lot. Additionally, March saw 鬼 release a two-song split with Japanese newcomers 明日の叙景 (Asunojokei), which I also spun thoroughly. So a few months back, Empathica was released, and I decided it would only feel right to listen to it. 

Empathica is a divisive record, as its strengths and weaknesses are exactly the same. On one hand, Unreqvited is a completely different sonic palette than the other releases in his catalog, further cementing the band's proficiency in composition and experimentation. On the other, however, is another boiler-late symphonic blackgaze album that sounds like a less-engaging Mesarthim. This makes this recent LP hard to analyze, as I both really like and really dislike multiple things about this release. Starting with the good, it is easily apparent that on every new project, 鬼 is evolving his sound. Mosaic II was distinctly a hybrid between post and black metal, whereas his first two records, Disquiet (2016) and Stars Wept To The Sea (2018) are distinctly blackgaze with post-rock influence. This one is much gaudier, and the newly introduced symphonic elements are here to show you this. With full string and horn accompaniment, you would assume that the expected blackgaze be far more prevalent than the oppressive synth layers and bright atmospheres. 

This is somewhat the case, as the blend of tremolo picking and piano melodies are about a 1-to-1 ratio on most of these cuts. "Empathica II: Everwinter" and "The Permafrost" are two tracks that keep the pounding nature of black metal at bay, switching blast beats and heavily distorted for layers of atmosphere and serenity. I find these tracks rather droll, as the leads are extremely predictable, and anything remotely heavy is thrown to the wind to make room for epic soundscapes that really do not do much for the songs themselves. This sentiment, unfortunately, follows for another three on the album; "Empathica I: Heart of the Spectral Mountains," "Snowspirits of the Arcane," and "Dreamer's Hideaway" are three ambient efforts with some good ideas. While each has its own flare and place on the record (with two of them sandwiching in the rest of the LP), none really captivate me. The instrumentation is too garish, blasting midi instrumentation into your face with nothing behind it. If these were mixed a little muddier, and way lower, I might be able to get into them, but as it stands they really take away from my enjoyment of the black metal hidden in the frozen wilderness.

Speaking of such, "Empathica III: Innocence" and "Crystal Cascade" are two ripping atmospheric black metal cuts that pierce through the album's fog and shines bright in the cold sky. While a little campy in execution, the ferocity on display here is unprecedented in Unreqvited's work, and as the symphony flutters away, double kicks and cymbal play burst forth. If every song were like these two, Empathica may have been perfect, as compositionally, these songs are engaging, beautiful, and technical. My gripes with the album return, however, as there is a downside to these tracks. The guitar tone is majorly compressed and honestly sound like shit. This is the worst part of these songs though, which still helps keep the album somewhat afloat. This album is extremely middling, as the two great songs are great, the two ok songs are ok, and the three others are very unimpressive. I really respect and appreciate the artistic steps Unreqvited is taking on Empathica. The sounds are familiar but still fresh, and the changeup in style will sure jar old listeners. If 鬼 releases a sonically similar album to this one, I wish it is a little more focused with a lot less filler. This isn't the best blackgaze album of the year, and unfortunately perpetuates tropes that I often criticize about the genre.

Final Verdict: La détresse

Favorite Tracks: "Empathica III: Innocence," "Crystal Cascade"

FFO: Mesarthim, 明日の叙景 (Asunojokei), Sylvaine

Track List:

1. "Empathica I: Heart of the Spectral Mountains"

2. "Empathica II: Everwinter"

3. "Empathica III: Innocence"

4. "Crystal Cascade"

5. "Snowspirits of the Arcane"

6. "The Permafrost"

7. "Dreamer's Hideaway"

You can support Unreqvited on his Bandcamp.