Album Review: Fäust - Crypts of Eternity
Reviewed by Sam Jones
Faust are a band who rocketed to my attention come the release of their first studio album towards the end of 2022, bringing a Dissection-worship styled black metal performance that riveted me to the floor. Faust is a one-man band formed by Michaël Hellström out of Grenoble, France, and after experiencing Death From Beyond I rapidly become enamoured with their old school black metal attack, biting and visceral yet simultaneously beautiful to listen to. Hot on the heels of their Night Terror Tapes EP releasing earlier this July Faust finally return with their second full length work titled Crypts Of Eternity for an October 24th release date via Black Lion Records once again. When I saw Faust had an upcoming record out soon I couldn’t turn down the opportunity; I may be picky with black metal but Faust do it just right for me.
Though Faust are a modern melodic black metal act i appreciate the classic guitar tone used for their music. Listening to their sound, without any additional context of who they are, when they formed etc one could waltz into a Faust record and be convinced they formed back in the early 90s. Their riffs have that classic, moonlit sheen that radiates evil in its most sinister forms, yet i like that it hasn’t been thrust deeply into our faces. One is able to step back comfortably and give the riffs space to present themselves and thus time allotted for us to process them. The songwriting sees Faust play at speed but its never so fast that you’ll feel it racing by you; its always just a little ahead of yourself so whilst you may feel like you’re having to catch up, the momentum is always turning round to make sure you’re still there in its wake. Furthermore the guitar work is beautifully crisp and even the more reluctant individuals, unsure whether to approach black metal, wouldn’t be amiss at recognising the crystal clarity these riffs are played with. Experiencing the guitar work is comforting, knowing Faust have enough restraint not to blow you back at every chance they get.
Eagle-eyed individuals may notice the record, speaking of tracks, isn’t too long. Other than the opening instrumental Crypts Of Eternity only has six full tracks to boot and not all of these are overly long either; it ultimately increases the likelihood this album can be replayed numerous times over before audiences feel they’ve received the full measure of Faust’s performance after its first released. What’s more each track has at least one standout moment that imprints itself into your psyche so, following the first listen, you’ll remember the full album better than you would others. The melodic element of Faust’s identity isn’t bound in sectioned, specific moments but interwoven within the crux of Faust’s performance; as one continues through the record the more evidence one discovers of this being the case as the very core of Faust is paved towards beholding the soundscape at a distance. Sure, some black metal acts would rather see us caught in the maelstrom as it happens but Faust’s magic places us right on that precipice where we can see everything happening, its majesty, its scope realised.
Given the style of black metal Faust champion its only natural they sport a polished production; this is by no means fantastical to reckon for their first record was just as wondrously smooth, but such efforts bring to light aspects like the drums, and the simplicity these drum tracks elicit. In many ways the drumming is thoroughly in accordance with black metal expectations: simple patterns, precise but deliberate, with little variation in tempo happening. There are times when their performance shifts gears and the tempo climbs to more visceral, maddening examples, utilising bass drums to their fullest extent, however Faust are not too interested in ensuring audiences feel an overwhelming surge from the drums for the songwriting, and the mix, are directed towards giving a full-band aesthetic coursing through each track. You can feel the collective input of guitar, vocals, drums etc all coexisting on the same level where no one element possesses especial positioning. Being a one-man metal band is advantageous thus, you can decide where every single piece of your band goes, how its all mixed etc, but I adore that for all the simplicity inherent within the drum tracks I can still hear them without difficulty. There's no need to discern closely what the drums are trying to convey due to a drowning mix; the taut skin of the drums is displayed for everyone to hear and one recognises the part they have in emphasising the importance of drums in such a record.
I think a big factor in Faust’s pulling in fans is how their sound, though rooted in black metal, does not feel fully closed off from outsiders unfamiliar with the terrain. Faust play melodic black metal but the majority of riffs, bridging sequences, guitar tone, the writing, doesn’t feel so closed off to newcomers as other black metal acts could be perceived as. Their melodic black metal is comforting to hear, the intensity never climbs so totally that you’re put off by any egregiously closeminded performance, the record could be viewed as a gateway example for those looking to dip their toe into black metal without having to delve deep into the archives of classic eras. Furthermore the writing, the performance, feels extremely professional. Like their last record Faust embody this sense of discipline and excellence you don’t shared amongst black metal often, where its more than some rudimentary excuse for the black arts or propping satanic imagery fulfilling juvenile aspirations; when one envisions compilations of bands showcasing black metal elevated to the standard of art, Faust could easily be found amongst them. Crypts Of Eternity isn’t merely a great record to hear but one you love to feel, there’s something thoroughly satisfying knowing you’re listening to a record that doesn’t need to be heavy unto hyperbole to be an exemplary time spent with it.
In conclusion, Crypts Of Eternity sees Faust continue their melodic black metal with a record that’s just superbly out together. As aforementioned the record isn’t super heavy by any standards, even in black metal, but it doesn’t need to be as Faust’s style of writing demonstrates. Great music isn’t remembered because of how heavy a song is or how many superfluous instances a band believe are great are thrown in for easy attention-grabbing, great music is remembered for how it makes a captive audience feel, and Crypts Of Eternity is a joy to experience. For me its tied intrinsically closely with their first record, such is the lofty quality Faust’s black metal possesses in my eyes. Its also a record that once you’re done with it, you’ll find yourself dragging your eyes back over to its cover and ready for another go. When you pop this record on you’ll understand you’re in safe hands and, while it hardly challenges you in any way, it won’t hold your hand, it won’t give you a free ride. But Crypts Of Eternity places you amidst a blizzard where spotlights strongly mark your way out, all the while the snow never abates, the thaw is far-flung and yet, the sky is strewn with stars and nebulae on a cloudless night. It really is a beautiful record.
