Welcome to Infernal Visions, a column where I review an album and pull a tarot card, oracle, or rune called forth by said album, sharing my interpretation of the card and how I feel it relates to the music. Let us bring together distortion and divinity. This week’s calling is blackgaze album Still Life by Nature Morte (out now) and Three of Swords.
The Call: Nature Morte – Still Life
With crashing waves of intensity amidst ripples of reverberating melodies and tones, bringing longing and catharses, Nature Morte presents their fourth full-length album, Still Life. The Parisian trio combines black metal, shoegaze, and post-rock to create their immersive sound. Quiet moments of melancholy and atmosphere surround outpours of screamed vocals and crashing drums creating meaningful movement. Unexpected tracks appear throughout offering something a little different, making Still Life memorable and more artistic in its endeavor.
The album opens with a quiet instrumental track. Haunting screeched tones are heard emulating faraway wails before a gentle echoing guitar melody is introduced. “DRAMA…” then expands into “…NOT HORROR” which is the first single released from Still Life. The previously heard melody is continued before the song bursts forth with an anguished scream, expanding into harsh vocals, and tremolo drumming. “BLUE” features guest vocalist Amaya Lopez-Carromero of Maud the Moth. It is a beautiful piece with Lopez-Carromero’s ethereal vocals adding something unique. Starting quiet and calm with her vocals on full display, eventually a crescendoing drum beat is heard with screams overlapping her harmonized singing. The juxtaposition of these vocal styles is something that makes my heart rejoice and goosebumps appear on my skin, reminding me of Thou and Emma Ruth Rundle collaborations. This is my favorite track on the album and heightens the emotional journey. “66F” is another unique addition to Still Life, with a longer instrumental opening featuring keyboards and a plucky melody reminiscent of on-hold music. This slowly fades out as black metal slowly enters, only momentarily. The two styles switch again and the song closes with keyboards. Immediately following is closer “CVLT” which has a goth rock feel in its melody. It is a faster paced and more joyful in its vibe. These two final tracks offer a more upbeat exit after a heavier listening experience.
Nature Morte knows how to push and pull on emotions with Still Life throwing listeners into anguish and peace, not knowing what to expect next and I am here for every moment.
The Card: Three of Swords
Pulled upright, this minor arcana card brings to mind heartbreak, pain, disappointment, and the clarity and hope that comes from endings. The Three of Swords can show a relationship ending, betrayal or disloyalty, and the pain of truth. It signifies clouds lifting, the truth being revealed, and indicating that it might be time to move forward and begin healing. There may be upheaval and heavy emotions but there is also an opportunity to grow. I see the Three of Swords as a sign to pause and evaluate the relationships in my life and where they currently stand. This not only means romantic relationships, but friendships, family dynamics, work/business relations, and even your relationship with yourself. Taking time to reflect on recent interactions and conversations may reveal the source of some pain or distrust. Any confusion or uncertainty might be cleared at this time. This card tells me to pause, evaluate, feel my emotions, make a decision for how to move forward, and begin that process to grow and continue to align with my highest self.
Nature Morte describes their hope for Still Life to “touch the listener deeply, where beauty meets pain.” The Three of Swords is a perfect representation of beauty and pain. It predicts gloom, heartache, loneliness but that also means moving forward and positive change blossoming. The album closing with lighter tracks even reflects this journey from sorrow to hope.
Blessed be.
–Angela
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