Under Construction @ Keele 2016 Volume 2 Issue 1 | Page 13

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dissemination of theory pertaining to black metal somewhat forced, contrived or
'untrve [sic]'.3 However, to the gathered minds who wished to see beyond the
opaque bleakness (or the bleak opaqueness), the conference yielded success. So
much so that the third in the series, 'P.E.S.T. (Philial Epidemic Strategy Tryst),'
followed on 20th November of the same year, at The Pint Bar in Dublin, Ireland.4 This
volume entitled "Melancology: Black Metal Theory and Ecology" comprises of the
many essays presented at the Melancology symposium, where speakers delved
deftly into theory, delivering transcendental presentations that linked black metal to
ecology, wielding looking glasses of geo-philosophy (Woodard, Irtenkauf) cosmology
(Stephanou) and other areas of metaphysics (Masciandaro, Mantescu).
Primarily, for those unfamiliar with black metal and black metal theory but
considering picking this tome up due to a deep interest in ecology or metaphysics, it
would be pertinent to at least acquaint oneself with the artists’ music that is
referenced within. Black metal is a form of music where the lyrics themselves can
only be expected to deliver a small part of the entire message. Both the lyrics and
accompanying music share centre stage and require the listener’s attention in order
for the assemblage of components to successfully conjure the ritual magicks. They
are both truly vital to consuming and understanding a seemingly impenetrable mire
of sound. The nature of black metal’s recording style, in which vocals do not
necessarily sit above the music in the final mix, forms an ethereal bricolage. The
music itself arrives as a tornado; disorganised, chaotic, and often instruments are
quite indistinguishable from one another. This purposefully contrasts many forms of
popular music where the vocals and music exist harmoniously and encourage
singing along through use of hooks etc.,5 and dancing (in whatever form),
respectively. One could simply forego exploring this twisted genre and read the lines
reproduced in Wilson's collection, relying on each contributing author’s skilful lyrical
analysis as they deftly negotiate the musicians’ words, and without any need for
malleability from the collected authors, are incorporated into the argument cogently.
A reflection of black metal itself, this technique, however, is unhelpful at best, as it

3

'Untrve' refers to an insult given by black metal fans referring to metal that is seen as false, a facade
or devoid of any artistic merit.
4
th
“PEST – Black Metal Theory Symposium,” Helvete, accessed 14 July 2014,
http://blackmetaltheory.blogspot.co.uk/2011/08/pest.html.
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Memorable parts of music, whether vocal melodies or riffs. A brilliant hook can completely elevate a
song, for example the drum fill in Phil Collins’ “In the Air Tonight.”