Vancouver’s Mitochondrion has a knack for violence. The quartet has always hinted that its signature relentless breed of dissonant black/death war metal is a façade for a much darker reality, contrary to the lurid barbarousness of its counterparts. Longwinded compositions of unhinged brutality suddenly align into chuggy riffs and experimental prowess at the guidance of its triple-vocal attack from hell, making cohorts with just as much of the likes of Teitanblood and Adversarial as Ulcerate and Portal.1 Deceptively straightforward, incessantly pulverizing, and neck deep in otherworldly ambitions, it’s non-Euclidean punishment from men who are alchemists at heart. Mitochondrion returns.
Otherworldly ambition has largely separated Mitochondrion from its counterparts since its 2003 inception. Vitriseptome is the lineup of their classic albums, 2008’s Archaeaeon and 2011’s Parasignosis, with bassist Sebastian Montesi of Auroch and Atemporal the only new addition in 2012. It has been thirteen long years since Mitochondrion’s formidable Parasignosis, only an EP (Antinumerology) and a split with Auroch (In Cronian Hour) to fill the absence. What 2024’s Vitriseptome does is ambitious to compensate, a ninety-three-minute affair described as a trilogy in two phases, separated by a flurry of ambient interludes – often the only respite from the intensity. With classical alchemy in mind, Mitochondrion concocts this mixture: the two phases or halves representing “Dissolution” and “Coagulation,” the trilogy denoting the three classical alchemical elements salt, sulfur, and mercury, and its quarter movements coined “Separation,” “Confusion,” “Initiation,” and “Return.” Each portion consists of a distinct sound palette while adhering to its emphasis on non-Euclidean and claustrophobic punishment rooted in sinister blackened death, cavernous OSDM, and bellicose war metal while venturing into the realms of dark ambient and noise. While its length is challenging and ambition alienating, it is worth a trek through Mitochondrion’s darkness where the smoke curls up and the crooked galaxies hang.
Each division encapsulates a certain mood or focus. Opening five-track suite “Separation” would feel right at home in an Adversarial album, gashing the ears with relentless blasting, unhinged tremolo, wailing solos, and putrid roars amid shifting sands of jarring tempo shifts, aligning like rotten stars in pulsing staccato climaxes (“Increatum Vox,” “Oblithemesis”). The seven tracks of “Initiation” balance its muscular character with a thick shroud of grime-crusted noise (“The Cruxitome,” “Ignis Caecus”), punishing concrete riffage emerging like colossal fists (“Argentum Mortifixion,” “The Protanthrofuge”). Contrary to these blasting behemoths of excess, latter halves “Confusion” and “Return” are far more restrained,2 comparatively meditative explorations that encapsulate the respective war metal attack and noisy approach (“Vacuuole,” “Viabyssm”), while expanding into filthy oceans of emptiness with Ulcerate-esque dissonance and haunting solos (“Flail, Faexregem!,” “Antitonement”) – a darker place to land that serves as a reminder as to who holds the key on this intense journey. The mix is dense and nearly impenetrable, a key contrast to the likewise ambitious organic treks of Ingurgitating Oblivion or Orgone.
As disparate as the styles are within Vitriseptome’s various divisions, they never stray from Mitochondrion’s signature breed. The punishment is still all-encompassing and incessantly pulverizing, but balance is the priority. Its moments of relative stillness there is a tension to the looming attack (“Viabyssm,” “The Protanthrofuge”), and there are moments of tense placidity in the more warfaring partitions (“The Erythapside,” “Ignis Caecus”). Dynamically, the band utilizes its interludes and its underlying approach extremely effectively, with smooth transitions (“Oblithemesis” to “[]” to “Vitriseptome;” “Ignis Caecus” to “[antimonphoresis]” to “Vacuuole”) guiding the proceeds from experimental and unhinged former to patient and contemplative latter. As such, nary a second feels wasted on Vitriseptome despite its interlude-heavy tracklist and demanding runtime. Its two-then-three-then-four thematic divisions don’t feel confused or convoluted, because the density of the music and intricate construction lend purpose and distinction. Vitriseptome offers undeniable proof that Mitochondrion remains atop the death metal echelon, in spite of its thirteen-year quiet.
Vitriseptome is challenging, but it’s a challenge well worth undertaking. A puzzle unlocked, its secrets are revealed with every listen – a harrowing and putrid collection of knowledge. The dynamics therein tell a story of alchemical rage and occult obsession, fueled by madness and horror. Undeniably a test of patience, its first impression of unhinged insanity slowly gives way to intensely calculated brutishness, bolstered by its atmospheric prowess and bared teeth of noise. Mitochondrion hasn’t missed a beat after thirteen years: Vitriseptome succeeds as a reminder of their formidable greatness and sets the tone for the act’s pulverizing future.
Rating: 4.0/5.0
DR: 53 | Format Reviewed: 320 kb/s mp3
Label: Profound Lore Records
Websites: mitochondrion.bandcamp.com | facebook.com/mitochondrion137
Releases Worldwide: November 1st, 2024
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