The Slave Eye – Unto Hades
“Unto Hades” is The Slave Eye’s second album – the first was “Black Rust”. Raleigh, North Carolina, the city and state from where The Slave Eye originates, has been home to some really creative heavy bands over the years, Glass Casket, Between The Buried And Me had members from there, and going way back, I have to mention Prayer For Cleansing. The Slave Eye continues that tradition in its own way.
The album is six tracks – but they are each heavy and one does not feel like anything is missing. The force and energy through the album starts from the first and carries until the end of the sixth.
Musically, this is black metal in style for sure – but not derivative of “old style” black metal or anything. The guitar is pure metal in its tone – I mean, the current technology of the electric guitar with distortion and all things proper reveals itself. The guitar has a cold feel about it in addition to its heaviness and the rhythm of the pick across the strings through the tracks change up enough so the listener can produce a range of emotional connections (which is key for all music). I personally feel the sound is missing a melancholy or sadness. Maybe that’s intentional. But there is a tone we associate with black metal that is really quite sad that often combines with elements of heavy playing and anger – but not always. This particular release is missing a touch of melancholy I was really hoping to hear (maybe a devil’s chord or two).
I write that – but the musicianship in the album is not lax at all. In addition to the technically proficient chords and riffs, there is also a well-constructed accompaniment with the rhythm that fits the style well and by adding a needed layer that floats on top of the overall forceful sound.
Lyrically, the band seems to be discussing how the self relates to the world – maybe about breaking its ego, or something else. On its Bandcamp page, The Slave Eye describes itself this way, “Unto Hades explores the tumultuous self and the depths of inner will, as directed by catatonic melodies and dynamic drumming, in subversion to the world.”
I have to say, this intrigues me.
An example of this “self” as analyzed in the track, 'Mouth Spell',
“The poison of vipers glazes my lips Cursing and bitterness reign Death and life are in the power of my tongue And I shall eat the fruit thereof I will reap what I sow!”
I think what the singer is making clear here is that each person is responsible for how they use the power of their mouth and their words. But, we can leave the lyric analysis to a different time.
“Unto Hades” is a forceful black metal style album full of technical and powerful precision of musicianship with lyrics worthy of thinking a little more about in the future.
The album is six tracks – but they are each heavy and one does not feel like anything is missing. The force and energy through the album starts from the first and carries until the end of the sixth.
Musically, this is black metal in style for sure – but not derivative of “old style” black metal or anything. The guitar is pure metal in its tone – I mean, the current technology of the electric guitar with distortion and all things proper reveals itself. The guitar has a cold feel about it in addition to its heaviness and the rhythm of the pick across the strings through the tracks change up enough so the listener can produce a range of emotional connections (which is key for all music). I personally feel the sound is missing a melancholy or sadness. Maybe that’s intentional. But there is a tone we associate with black metal that is really quite sad that often combines with elements of heavy playing and anger – but not always. This particular release is missing a touch of melancholy I was really hoping to hear (maybe a devil’s chord or two).
I write that – but the musicianship in the album is not lax at all. In addition to the technically proficient chords and riffs, there is also a well-constructed accompaniment with the rhythm that fits the style well and by adding a needed layer that floats on top of the overall forceful sound.
Lyrically, the band seems to be discussing how the self relates to the world – maybe about breaking its ego, or something else. On its Bandcamp page, The Slave Eye describes itself this way, “Unto Hades explores the tumultuous self and the depths of inner will, as directed by catatonic melodies and dynamic drumming, in subversion to the world.”
I have to say, this intrigues me.
An example of this “self” as analyzed in the track, 'Mouth Spell',
“The poison of vipers glazes my lips Cursing and bitterness reign Death and life are in the power of my tongue And I shall eat the fruit thereof I will reap what I sow!”
I think what the singer is making clear here is that each person is responsible for how they use the power of their mouth and their words. But, we can leave the lyric analysis to a different time.
“Unto Hades” is a forceful black metal style album full of technical and powerful precision of musicianship with lyrics worthy of thinking a little more about in the future.
- Avenge Us
- Mouth Spell
- Sore Upon Sore
- Of Dark Heart And Mind
- The Slave Eye
- Unto Hades
