Ah yes, mono no aware! This Japanese literary term has been a subject of fascination in the West for a few decades now and has even seen some attention from metal. This fascination is understandable; the subtle and complex term evokes a wide array of sensations, from existential dread through an aloof, aesthetic detachment. The Odius‘s latest track explores this range of emotions, blending progressive and alternative metal in the way we’ve come to expect from this unexpected band. The end result is a complicated track which sways between more ethereal and emotive hooks, fast drumming, harsh vocals, guitar flairs, and atmosphere. Head on down below to get your own taste!
This latest single comes to us from the upcoming, and hotly anticipated, Vesica Piscis which will see release on June 21st. As with many The Odious tracks, the secret to “物の哀れ” is to listen for the theme which runs through it and informs the many different takes on the track. This shared sound is what makes the calmer beginning of the track, the proggier and heavier middle and, finally, the breakdowns near its end make sense and weaves them into one piece. When brought together, these disparate elements create a common vibe, a kind of hauntingly beckoning and faintly melancholic theme which the track emanates from the track. Especially worthy of note in that regard are the drums, which play an integral part in giving everything cohesion, especially in light of the off-kilter and chaotic tendency which has come to define The Odious.
Don’t forget to head on over to the band’s Bandcamp to pre-order this beast of an album; if you’re a fan of progressive/experimental metal to any degree, you owe it yourself.