threnodies

So Hideous, My Love… is an american band which combines elements of classic with post-black metal and hardcore. We heard something similiar before? Right, as bands like Ära Krâ already set combinations like post-black metal and -core to music on their debut named Ferne Tage. Ära Krâ have proved, that the combination of the aforementioned genres can sound good, but is that also the case, if you add classical elements to it? Is To Clasp A Fallen Wish With Broken Fingers as good as Ferne Tage was?

So Hideous, My Love… gained a bit of popularity in the scene after they released their debut EP in 2010. The unusual combination of styles has drawn the attention to them. If you compare the debut EP with their latest output you’ll see, that there are more black metal parts and that the production improved a lot. The EP contains four songs with a total playing time of round about a quarter hour.

The record is introduced through Handprints on Glass which has a really long drawn instrumental intro, that is mostly carried through guitar sounds. After a minute of music, the sound of a violine is added – and with it the classical influences – which enhances the oppressive atmosphere even more. Even after the drums and shouts are kicking in, the violine plays a major role in the composition, which creates a really nice union with the layer of guitar sound. The vocals are really a matter of taste, as they just sound like the average -core vocals, but you have to say that they suit the music somehow. Like it was by Ära Krâ, there are nearly no black metal elements here and the only real “dark” passage is embodied through the blast beats the drums are playing.

To be honest: There are no real black metal parts on the whole record, as they focused on the combination of harsh music in general and classical influences. There are of course the aforementioned blast beats and some passages with the good, old tremolo picking, but nothing really steps into the foreground. In return, every song offers an oppressive, gloomy atmosphere and they are done quite forward in at least mid-tempo. The comparission with Ära Krâ can be continued, as their sound is a bit similiar as well. Although So Hideous, My Love… have nothing in common with Agrypnie, the atmosphere in general is quite similiar and the combination of post-black metal and hardcore is done quite akin. The production is quite good, although the vocals are a bit to calm and the bass could have been more differentiated

Conclusion:

 To Clasp A Fallen Wish With Broken Fingers is quite good for the second output of a young band. The mixture of post-black metal and hardcore with some influences of classical music is quite refreshing and especially the Prelude in G# Minor helps to keep the record interesting. The vocals are really a matter of taste, and you shouldn’t try to listen to this if you couldn’t stand the vocals by Ära Krâ, if you manage to get used to them, there are three nice tracks though. Feel free to risk an ear on their labels bandcamp site!

Rating: 75/100 

Date of release: April, 12th 2011

So Hideous, My Love… – Bandcamp

Tracklist:

	1.	Handprints on Glass	04:36
	2.	Prelude in G# Minor	02:25
	3.	However Boldly Their Warm Blood Split	04:55
	4.	To Clasp a Fallen Wish with Broken Fingers	04:36
		Total Playing Time:	16:42

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