Watain - Lawless Darkness

'Waters Of Ain' is the last track on Watain’s new record Lawless Darkness. At 14 minutes it is by far their most ambitious work to date and is emblematic of what Watain are as standalones in black metal, based on output quality. The track culminates, rather appropriately, the album as a whole which, put frankly is Watain’s finest hour. They have in many regards become an enigma to themselves in black metal over the course of their previous two albums. That grandeur is perpetuated across Lawless Darkness’ sprawling and avant-garde 70 minutes, all done so with absolutely no give or let up.

The record is obliquely extravagant but never once exudes any kind of portentousness or arrogance. No expense is sacrificed and while it’s a divisive issue the record’s production is pristine and shimmers with just the right amount of studio sheen, an strangely appropriate dichotomy to the music’s dark, daunting nature.

That said, no amount of brutality or bile spewing aggression is sacrificed. If anything it’s augmented from 2007’s opus Sworn To The Dark. This predecessor set an unruly standard for Watain to attempt to top and Lawless Darkness certainly erodes any expectations or indeed doubts. The record is a foreboding presence entirely, one that will click almost instantly with fans and indeed lure in new ones, and that is not a bad thing at all.

Whether it’s Erik Danielsson’s shredding vocals, the album’s showpiece that is buzz-saw riffs found on every track or the towering lead guitar work completely taking control like on 'Malfeitor', Lawless Darkness is everything it promised to be and more.

In 2010 when black metal’s definition has changed greatly with bands like Wolves In The Throne Room and Altar Of Plagues but conversely the return of Burzum, Watain can safely lay claim to raw, yet oddly grandiose, black metal’s throne. Lawless Darkness is the Swede’s glorious coup de grace; an otherworldly and lofty height is where the “bar” now lies.

8/10