Although, as all things in quantum physics are, it’s a little more complicated than that, Heisenburg’s Uncertainty Principle can be satisfyingly simplified for the layperson as stating that, for a system with known starting conditions, the more precisely we know the position of that system after time, the less precisely we know its momentum at that time, and vice versa.  This actually has nothing to do with the limitations of current technology or even the “observer effect” that most of the weirdness inherent in quantum states are chalked up to; it’s simply a property of quantum systems and how we apply math to them.  I have no idea what this means in regards to black metal or hardcore. Calligram’s sophomore effort Position | Momentum obviously evokes that tenant in the title, but it’s also an interesting thought exercise in the idea of knowing where you are versus how you got there.

Position | Momentum is all about looking back.  Looking back on Calligram’s debut The Eye is the First Circle, the London-based multinational quintet wanted to capitalize on their newfound momentum by doubling down on their razor-blade-factory-caught-in-a-tornado blend of d-beat hardcore and black metal by amping up the intensity, but also introducing more space to let the intensity breathe and strike without warning.  With the help of producer Russ Russell, Calligram have achieved just that.  Abrasive and icy chaos is now tempered with light ambience and ominous spaces.  It’s an exercise in dynamics that makes the savage nature of the music not feel overwhelming (although “claustrophobic” is a word the band likes to use to describe their music).  Lyrically, Position | Momentum is also a look back, primarily by vocalist Matteo Rizzardo, on the dark times that we all have been living through.  Since the album was recorded in summer of 2022, Rizzardo had plenty of personal and global troubles to wade through, but it is important to know that the lyrics are about coming out the other side of this pain and anguish.  Rizzardo’s journey of self-analysis has allowed him to look back on everything he had been through with clarity and acceptance, to celebrate and be honest about his struggles.  In this, he knows exactly where he is currently and where he was previously.  Perhaps this makes the future harder to predict, but it also makes Position | Momentum a sobering collection of lessons learned and stories told, albeit one that is infected with the joy of hindsight.

Musically, I expected Position | Momentum to be more on the melodic side of things, like a Svalbard or a Downfall of Gaia.  It is not like that; Position | Momentum leans very heavily into the black metal territory, and terrifying, anxious black metal it is.  You very much get that this is an album informed by pain and despair.  It’s not pretty or atmospheric, it’s borderline animalistic at times, with buzzsaw riffs, angular melodies and especially Rizzardo’s divisive vocals.  It’s not raw in terms of production, but this is grief barely filtered before it hit the wax (or, I guess, DAW in this day and age).  I’ll admit, I find myself wanting for more of the actual d-beat elements, as those are my favorite parts of records like these.  They are a little too few and far in between here, but when they show up they absolutely kick ass and break up the black metal elements into more digestible pieces.  “Ostranenie” and “Ex-Sistere” are great examples of when the combination comes together perfectly, each half yinning the other’s yang.

Overall, Position | Momentum is a strong release from a band that have a lot of talent and resources to draw from.  There’s no “uncertainty” that Calligram have a bright future ahead of them if they keep up their momentum!  Eh?  Eh?  I’ll see myself out.

— Ian

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Position | Momentum will be available July 14 on Prosthetic Records.  For more information on Calligram, visit their Facebook page.