Diaries of Destruction - DoD II [Self release - 2024]" /> |
Diaries of Destruction is the collaboration of composer and guitarist Elif Yalvaç and bassist Jordan Muscatello, on the surface a joining of Turkish and British minds, but actually encompassing the majority of Europe through their collaborations, inspirations, and travels. Showcasing the more experimental end of drone metal, Elif's guitars and Jordan's bass form a thick and resinous tribute to their shared interests and inspirations, utilizing effects and electronics to further their aims. Dark but not without hints of light, DoD II is a somber affair that uses its thickness to invigorate and challenge, its emotional component is able to shine through and directly communicate to the listener. Whether referencing the Welsh tradition of Mari Lwyd, the Icelandic phrase "Þetta Reddast,” or reminiscing about Jean Claude Van Damme films, DoD II carries the heart and soul of its composers, and the dirges and exultations of their inner workings
As stated above, DoD II contains many shared inspirations and experiences of its two composers, Elif Yalvaç and Jordan Muscatello. Spread over eight lush and varied tracks, DoD II mixes dirgy, droning doom pieces with evocative, elevating layers that pull the listener in a few directions at once, but skillfully so. Utilizing the lower ends while flexing the middles, Diaries of Destruction craft an interesting and engaging album that covers a lot of ground while getting its message across. Deftly done, the songs come together to feel like one piece and one inspiration. And while that is true for the underlying theme, each track is still working toward its own goal; the duo just happen to be very skilled and have a great ear to keep everything in the same sphere. The flow of the album is much like that of each song, there is an underlying thickness in both the guitar and bass that keeps us grounded while letting varied drones and effects bring us to other places. While this is something that is vividly seen in dark ambient, the duo manage to give their songs a real provenance in the listener's mind, evoking memories and emotions akin to the composers' recollections while recording. In addition to the obvious strings on display, Diaries of Destruction work in some excellent electronics to help add dimension to the droning layers on display. Synths, pedals, field recordings, and other effects take this from being typical drone and give it an excellent soundscape feel, showing their commitment to the composition as a whole instead of just the improvisation of each song. This also adds to the overall wholeness of DoD II and gives this album the strength for many repeated listens.
With all the wonderfully evocative, engaging sounds and their heartfelt inspirations, Diaries of Destruction's DoD II captures the spirit of the duo as well as their commitment to composing fantastic music. And while the focus is more somber, one only needs to look at the Mari Lwyd hobbyhorses on the cover to see what is really the duo having a great time making this album. After eight years of friendship and three years of collaboration, we have their second release together, DoD II, and what I can only hope will be the first of many more to come. To check it out   Paul Casey
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