Over the years, Azgorh has become one of the most consistent voices in Australian underground black metal, with a discography that makes even the most prolific artists in the genre pale in comparison. Current 1366 fits into this devoted body of work and shows a side of the project that lies between raw directness and almost contemplative depth.
From the very first notes, it is clear that there is no interest in mediation. The recording moves in the realm that makes atmospheric black metal so exciting—it sounds rough and unfinished enough to retain the coldness and authenticity that characterize the genre, but it never sounds so impenetrable that the beauty of the pieces is lost. The guitars layer over each other like fog, while the drums emphasize the ritualistic character of the music with driving regularity. This hypnotic quality sets Drowning The Light apart from many of their peers—the ability to transport the listener into a state between trance and sad contemplation.
Thematically, Current 1366 moves on familiar ground. The vampiric aesthetic that always pervades the project is not overt, but rather a subliminal movement that permeates every note. The title itself refers to a timeless river, a current of darkness that flows through the centuries, growing stronger rather than drying up. This depth in the concept is reflected in the music, which never seems hectic, but unfolds with the patience of a being that has eternity ahead of it.
The individual pieces merge into a coherent listening experience, which is both a strength and perhaps a weakness of the album. Those looking for immediate variety, for clearly separated songs with their own identity, may not find what they are looking for here. But those who embark on the journey, listen to the album in its entirety, and immerse themselves in its mood will be richly rewarded. The melodies that wind their way through the fast tremolo guitars have a beauty all their own that can only be found in black metal—a beauty that combines pain with longing.
Azgorh’s vocals fit naturally into the sound. The typical screeching and lamenting never seems artificial, but rather a direct expression of the musical emotions. Sometimes the voice recedes and serves as an instrument embedded in the overall structure, while at other points it emerges with a strong presence and reaches the listener directly.
Current 1366 does not appeal to everyone—nor does it claim to. It is a work for those who do not fear the night, but seek refuge in it, for those who recognize a unique aesthetic in the seemingly repulsive. At a time when trends and commercial considerations are influencing even black metal, Drowning The Light remains a bastion of uncompromising integrity. This album proves once again that true darkness knows no fads and that the current that has guided Azgorh for years is far from drying up.