indeed, i’m ramesses’ fan, they are more brutal, psychedelic and doom than the actual EW, but this ‘black masses’ surprised me a lot

Instead of knocking the production you have embraced it.

Absolutely this album takes a few listens to fully appreciate. Initially the production and overall sound come off as an incredibly dense wall of sound/noise (especially the lower quality the format you are listening to it is). Repeated listens expose the production to be as you have described it. Listeners have to dive in it to fully get it.

You can’t stand back and listen. You must let it engulf you and open yourself to the experience. Only then will you hear the album for what it is without trying to listen to it.

“Obsession seems an appropriate reaction…” Right? Holy shit.

I love this album. I love the production. I love everything it stands for. I marvel at the amount of work that had to have gone into getting all of the sounds and tones just right. Remember, this beast is 100% analog from recording on and with vintage gear/equipment to mastering. I want every album to be fully analog from here out (thanks Agalloch). This album makes me long for my record player. To get this on double vinyl (180g) and feel the sheer weight of it in your hands just before setting it on the turntable and dropping the needle…damn.

What I wouldn’t give to take this, on vinyl, back to my childhood neighborhood and find the hesher dude one street over (who used to place a giant speaker in his bedroom window and blast the whole neighborhood with Back in Black while washing his car) and play this for him.

Thank you. Excellent writing. Great review. Awesome album.