Dark Soul

ACRIMONIA

Saturday, 2008

 ACRIMONIA-LEGNO DI MALINCONIA
by Jamie Goforth.



It is a popular and often frequented crossbreeding of genres, that of black metal and ambient and one which is only increasing in prevalence.

Mexico's Acrimonia are one such exponent of the style combination and have been dabbling with the intermingling of the two ever since late 1997 when they were formed, originally a complete band constituted by Octavio Dolores (guitar, keyboards, vocals), Martha Dolores (keyboards), Urique Q (guitars) and Enrique Parker (drums).

Since their inception Acrimonia have undergone a series of line up alterations and now exist as a one man project, founding member Octavio Dolores remaining as the sole Acrimonia representative.

The songs of this album 'Legno di Malinconia' the bands first were composed by Octavio long before every man and his dog decided it would be a great idea to marry black metal with ambience though they were not released until quite some years after the original birth of Acrimonia and its consequential shift into a solo unit.

Therefore by the time Acrimonies 'Legno di Malinconia' is finally unleashed , initially a recording limited to 666 copies, the fusion of black metal ambience genres is rife spanning worldwide in epidemic proportions spawning an assortment of protagonists from the good to the bad to the downright ugly.

Personally I quite enjoy the hybrid of styles at times, the blend of melancholy beauty dancing amidst the blacker roar of primitive fury but too often these days the acts delving into it are either toying with mere indulgence or blatant Burzumisms and as with all forms of the genre too many substandard clones are in existence.

Acrimonia have been in the game a while now and their interpretations of it are much more of the former than the latter.

It's a totally serene beginning for 'Legno di Malinconia' with the lead in segment 'From…' a mellow collage of the sounds of nature, chirping birds and running streams of water from which despondent keys emerge.

Symphonic orchestral strokes drift in and out, the nature noises fade to be superseded by a trickle of melody and then resume.
This air of calmness belies the sudden rush of black blasted animosity which is to follow.

'Ehy oneom lese iac ay as omet" bears no resemblance to the peaceful woodsy intro, it is a black monster frothing at the mouth with bared teeth and chilly aggression.

With a spiky edged riff revolving around frenetic drum rolls whilst a more sedate line of keys shadows it this track mostly eschews the ambience and keeps the black metal full throttle.

Surprisingly both the bird call introductory piece and the emphatic guitar stabs and oscillating drum patterns of the second track remind me of the same band and that is Nokturnal Mortum.

Given the Ukrainian outfits particular ideals it would be interesting to gauge any reaction from them in knowing it is their name and music which springs first to mind upon hearing these initial tracks from a Mexican BM act.

Hauntingly slow keys eventually wander into the track taking over from the scowling harshness of vocals and whirlwind guitars forming an interlude of ascending repetition prior to the riff stabs returning and then tapering off.

All too commonly these days acts use the black metal ambient tag as a thinly veiled excuse to cobble a couple of screaming glass gargling verses of vocal shrieks with a handful of pedestrian tremolo guitar phrases and then pad out the remainder of the album/demo/whatever with indulgent and more often than not pointless key excursions and exasperating plodding sequences of experimentation.

Acrimonia cannot be lumped in the same over inflated category as these grating lumbering sorts.

Granted there is a whole deal of ambience and atmospheric explorations travelling throughout the course of 'Legno di Malinconia' with a variety of melancholy interludes and intermissions keeping company with the more full on blackened rantings but Acrimonia can't be accused of filling their material (or should I say his material as all the band responsibility has now fallen upon the shoulders of Octavio) with mere frustrating soundscapes.

Here the black metal songs are foremost, furious and frequent and the more ambient themed tracks such as the three sections of 'The Walker' which appear through the albums duration are subtle enhancements to the sound, the light and ethereal contrasting with the dark and aggressive of songs like 'Cursed' and The Black Metamorphosis".

Whereas the likes of 'The Walker Parts I, II, and III' are dominated and moved along by simple note structures, less dense instrumentation, tranquil experimentations and augmentations of blustery wind gales and orchestral elements the latter tracks vibrate with an epic sense of hostility and abrasive vocals., 'The Black Metamorphosis' being a slower but nonetheless still heavy stomp layered with sheafs of instrumentation and fragments of blasting.

There are even gothic overtures in this particular song with ghostly female voices soaring amidst raspier male counterparts and subdued keys leading to an interlude featuring doleful strings, creaking spoken vocals and a steady drum.

'Legno di Malinconia' is swimming in standout songs, a couple of notable mentions being 'We Await To Total Arrive', 'Spell Of The Night Spirit' and the previously mentioned tongue twister 'Ehy oneom le se iac ay as omet'.

'We Await To Total Arrive' is reminiscent of classic black metal albums Satyr icons 'Shadowthrone' and Emperors 'In The Nightside Eclipse' blending prime time BM riff structures, fierce drumming and snarling vocal work with softer passages of lilting melody and reserved atmosphere and it is evident that these types of Scandinavian bands have bestowed an abundance of influence in shaping the sound of Acrimonia.

In concluding Acrimonies 'Legno di Malinconia' is an excellent debut album which masters the art of balancing the harsh aesthetics of black metal with just the correct amount of ambience soaked material without diluting the aggressive essence with too much keyboard based filler.
I for one certainly hope Octavio Dolores continues to press on with the Acrimonia project and brings much more material to fruition.




Track Listing

1. From…
2. Ehy oneom le se iac ay as omet
3. The Black Metamorphosis
4. The Walker Part I (introus)
5. We Await To Total Arrive
6. The walker Part II (the cave)
7. Spell Of The Night Spirit
8. The Walker Part III (the Shrine)
9. Cursed
10.Tribute
11. Inno to…



Current members: Octavio Dolores-all instruments, vocals

Former Line-up
Octavio Dolores-guitar, keyboards, vocals
Martha Dolores-keyboards, vocals
Urique Q-guitar
Enrique Parker-drums



Written By Jamie Goforth
©2008 BlackMetalJim

HOLA, CONTAME UN POCO LA HISTORIA Y SUS INTEGRANTES DE LA BANDA;
 
QUE DEMOS Y/O CDS. TIENEN EDITADOS;
 
SOBRE QUE TRATAN SUS LIRICAS Y QUIEN LAS COMPONE;
 
QUE ESTILO HACEN Y SUS INFLUENCIAS;
 
QUE PROYECTOS TIENEN PARA EL FUTURO;
 
COMO ESTA LA MOVIDA EN SU CIUDAD;
 
QUE SITIOS WEB Y DIRECCION DE MAIL TIENE LA BANDA;
 
BUENO,PARA IR TERMINANDO,ALGUN COMENTARIO Y SALUDOS;

Que Tal Amigos, saludos a todos, donde quiera que sea que se encuentre el lector de este artículo, en especial a los amigos de Argentina pues tengo entendido que es donde tendrá más difusión este articulo. Vale, mi Nombre es Octavio Dolores fundador y creador de la Banda (estilo Black Metal Ambiental) llamada “Acrimonia” (el termino esta en castellano, si se desea consultar). La cual surgió por el año 1996 junto con Martha Dolores, Enrique Parker y Urique Quiñones. Después de algún tiempo, las discrepancias de ideales entre los miembros se hizo más expresa, lo cual llevo a Urique Quiñones a abandonar la banda, y un año después Parker también la dejaría, pues nuestros intereses en aquel momento eran muy diversos, de ello podéis consultar mas a detalle en http://www.myspace.com/acrymonia

Arribamos a el tiempo donde la banda estaba desintegrada, sin embargo, eso duro poco, pues. Junto con Martha y otros músicos seguimos con la banda un poco más. Después Martha abandonaría la Banda también. Mi Reflexión fue simple: Yo había hecho casi todo en esta banda, por lo cual Nadie más que yo decidiría si esta banda terminaría o continuaría. Y de ahí decidí volverlo mi proyecto. Acrimonia seguiría aun más. Por lo cual Decidí Materializar mi Obra e inicie a seleccionar los temas para hacer 4 Álbum o intentos como gustes.

   El primero en que me enfoque fue. Legno Di Malinconia. Tenía poca instrucción en percusiones, etc. Bueno, encare algunos problemas para su realización. En mis tiempos libres daba continuación a su realización. Casi inmediatamente. Realice Sens d’ Obscurité Sin embargo, con la Realización de Legno di Malinconia. Pensé en buscar quien lo produjera, y mande él Demo a varias Labels alrededor del mundo, y pues nadie se intereso en producirlo, solo decían que era buen material, pero que la agenda estaba llena. Después en Méjico hice el intento final en buscar a alguien que estuviera interesado, pero al parecer, fue mucho peor, y muchos fueron los que se interesaron, pero nadie lo quiso producir, hasta creo que lo único que conseguir fueron malas amistades, y junto con ello, el repudio entre las bandas de Méjico. Algunos me comentaban que era muy buena música y después propagaban descalificaciones hacia Acrimonia. Sería tonto de mi parte generalizar, pero si, una gran mayoría. Creo que a muchos les pega bastante fuerte ese sentimiento de Inferioridad, y les molesta el actuar o logro de los demás, pero eso solo es mi idea al respecto, quizá solo es mala música la que yo he hecho y No vale la pena producirla.

     Si vos estáis interesado en escuchar el Álbum completo de Legno di Malinconia, siéntanse en libertad de Mandarme un e-mail a: acrymonia@hotmail.com con la frase expresa: “mándame el Legno di Malinconia Álbum” Y a la brevedad lo enviaremos.

     Now’s Time es el título de el Tercer Material que he hecho, sin embargo tengo pensado hacer otros 2 Títulos mas. Uno un tanto más Folk y otro solo Black Metal, sin mucho aspecto ambiental. Todo el aspecto de la temática acerca de los temas va muy relacionada a Fantasía, en base a tópicos de la vida misma, la naturaleza de las cosas, equilibrio, etc. La fantasía es algo que me agrada mucho y me ayuda a poder plasmar pensamientos, etc. La Naturaleza y la vida misma, viene siendo como podéis ver mi fuente de inspiración. Acerca de la movida en nuestra ciudad, es decir, en la ciudad de Méjico, pues en lo personal, no lo considero muy bueno que digamos, hay demasiada gente más destructiva que propositiva, pero solo sucede con gente de aquí, si vos sois de fuera de este país, considero que podría ser más favorable el trato para con ustedes.

Vale, les otorgo mis generales: Podéis visitar y escuchar algo de nuestra música en: www.acrimonia.tk o bien http://www.myspace.com/acrymonia

http://www.mp3.com.au/AcrimoniaBand

http://acrimonia.boxnuvo.com

Y podéis escribirnos a: acrymonia@hotmail.com     Vale amigos hasta aquí, es lo que puedo contarles respecto Acrimonia, hay mucho más que podría contarles, sin embargo, solo he seguido las preguntas de referencia. Si tenéis algún comentario siéntanse libres de escribirme, Contesto todo el e-mail que recibo, quizá tarde un poco pero contesto todo. Agradezco a Jaime Dobal y a todos los involucrados en este Web-Zine “fanzine del sur” que ojala llegue a trascender y lograr éxito. Un gusto colaborar con ustedes y agradezco el interés para nuestra banda. Acrimonia Black Metal Ambient.

      Acrimonia beginning with: Urique Quiñones (guitar), Enrique Parkker (drums), Martha Dolores (keyboards) and Octavio Dolores. It could say that they play Black Metal ambient. Nowadays we watched that the band has been with a single member (Octavio Dolores), which has provided us this interview.

Winter: Well, to say to us, about the start of the band Acrimonia?

Black Satellite: Acrimonia Arose at the end of 1996. After 2 months to know Urique and Parkker, and to try to execute some pieces. It had not been possible without the enthusiasm of Martha; she initiated her studies of music when she knew Parker and Urique; they had decided to form a band. That day they went to house and there I found them chatting when I arrive from the school. Martha appears and she let know about her idea to make a band. After it she invites me to participate… I just had a short time to take hold a guitar and knew very little of keyboard. Nevertheless, I accept and we began to practice. Made the commitment, I began to compose something of music (very bad by the way), and to look for a name for the band. There were not many proposals by those who we conformed this band, was left the sort either very clear to try. In the personnel, at that time it emotionally passed through unstable stages and much melancholy. I very easily was with the term Acrimonia. The other members of the band, very were not convinced, and decided on one second option, nevertheless, they did not propose anything and with time they accepted it. Naturally I looks for that some band with that name did not exist. Therefore I confirm myself and was born thus Acrimonia.

Winter: How went that they inclined to play Black Ambient Metal?  

Black Satellite: Well… In fact, was not an objective to play this music style? The beginning problem was to make metal music. Then all we had different musical tastes. Black metal pleased much to me, nevertheless, by on the other hand to Urique did not please much to him. What but it disliked to him was the Death Metal and grindcore apparently. It said that nothing was understood and the music was very noisy.

Hatred to the Christianity, in addition to many ideas and mainly thematic was what from the beginning persuade us to play black metal music. I began to write some pieces and Martha helped me with some, was something new for me to compose and my musical limitations made it somewhat difficult. We assembled the pieces and the result occurred. The ideas that were vague made specific. Perhaps it sounded to the result of my mood, to my experience, my emotions and to feel. I admit that it does not obtain it very well. It tried to shape my musical restlessness, everything sounded in my head. But it did not sound very well through our instruments. Acrimonia represents to me, a part of my person, and a small side of me. That side is what it takes to me to make all this music of this form, of this sort. Presumably Black Metal ambient.

Winter: How was that the other members of Acrimonia Left the group? And How begins to be your individual project?

Black Satellite: It is a very long history: The first member in leaving the band was Urique and was due to multiple factors; From a principle to Urique it was not watched to him very interested in the band, probably it was not to taste with my music, or which we did, began to show much apathy and it did not collaborate much, this of another form, single was like an executants. He was not very to taste in this band, because my conduct was very unsuitable towards, because I was excessively immature and with little tact. I expressed that this band represented to be a hobbies for me, which did not seem much to him, arguing that he if she wished to dedicate itself to the music of professional form. It was a problem. Therefore it decided not to waste the time with us more. I think that I was the culprit of his exit, by my bad attitude. We continued the three, and later we knew Manuel of the band Balam Akab, that play bass. It was united temporarily to the band, after some time, Parkker retirement and Omar of Balam Akab, who play the drums, help us playing temporarily with us. Mirza of Balam Akab was offered to help with the band playing the violin, nevertheless, the school consumed time and profit to me that She never was united to the band… After some time, Parkker return, but soon after He announce definitive exit of the band, Omar and Manuel no longer could continue supporting to us. Martha began to have just a short spare time.

The band was disintegrated, nevertheless, I had composed almost all music for this band, had put him name, etc. this is my band. I had initiated it, thus, was I the only one who could decide if Acrimonia would follow. The decision already knows it. Implicitly, from the beginning it was my individual project, to say it of some form. Martha gave me some classes of music. She now is a Jazz Pianist. All that instruction has helped me to follow with Acrimonia.

Winter: About which turns the thematic of the songs in Acrimonia? And as is your source of inspiration?

Black Satellite: In a word… Fantasy. It pleases to much the fantasy to me, of some form I am Mexican, and according to they say. To the Mexican it pleases to him to live but in the fiction that in the reality, and of course, it has very rooted the inferiority feeling. According to the intellectuals of that country say (Mexico). This surrounded in which it wants to do and condemned in which really can do, that takes to the melancholy and the feeling to it of inferiority. Also I could have been born in a desert Island. Ha ha ha… Really that not even matters.

     In Acrimonia use much the fantasy in metaphor form, satire and sarcasm. I produce my own form to create atmospheres, situations, etc. Is many things can get to give them me ideas nevertheless I consider that my greater source of inspiration is the nature and same life. I obvious specify it of the band, is the antichristianism, antinationalism, etc. Attempt that each production goes focused to a thematic one.

Winter: Which are your plans for the future of Acrimonia? Exist the possibility that you look for a new alignment and thus of initiating some tour?

Black Satellite: It really pleases much this band to me; already I have said that it represents a part of my person. Probably continues composing more music, when it feels to necessity to do it. Look for a new alignment, serious a little difficult, taking in consideration that to be part of serious acrimonia. Need to adapt to the band. The tour is not a great problem; it could look for some musicians so that they play my music. I know some musicians, would be a little different, nevertheless, could be fulfilled the commitment of tour, if that is the objective. Gliding an agenda for tour… to my to seem, does not imply greater problem, nevertheless it must come after campaigning good of publicity and distribution of my music, then, I do not see that object must do tour and to play for people who never had listened to you, in my point of view, I do not see sense. I believe that most suitable is to go to some place where, really want to see you Play.

    Well… I hope to have something of free in the future and making but music of better quality and but representative time.

Winter: Which has been the answer to your works of Acrimonia?

Black Satellite: As it is to be expected, there is much people who have pleased to them, and other so many Not. Really it is difficult to know it. Only I know 4 people, to those who he does not please to them for anything, and they are: My parents and my brothers… after them I have not found to anybody more than he dislikes so much my music as to them.

The majority says; is ok, them like my music, but, when I showed it several Labels, no wanted to produce… Thus I have done it. But you do not worry, I have found out that you can download my music in the Web, is necessary to look for to it. Thus not even they must buy nothing.

Winter: What you can say to us of the bands of Mexico? You can recommend some to us?Octavio: Ha ha ha… Sorry about that but, in fact I do not know of the subject. Sorry I cannot recommend.

     Acrimonia former at the end of 1997, their Original members were: Octavio Dolores (guitar, keyboards, voices), Enrique Parker (drums), Martha Dolores (keyboards) Urique Quiñones (guitar) and the project fall.

    It resurges, in 1998 with: Martha Dolores(keyboard and voices), Parkker(drums), Manuel (Session musician - bass) Octavio Dolores (guitar and voices), Urique (guitar). But the band does not arrive very far, since Urique leaves the band & Parkker too.

Acrimonia has turns  in a solo project of Octavio Dolores. And record recently the old material never released in the past years.