I cannot even begin to tell you how many false starts I’ve had with this review due to my ongoing writer’s block. However, when there’s something released that I believe in and know would have an impact if the right ears took a listen, I must push through it.

If you didn’t know by now, I’m talking about Australian, one-woman multi-instrumentalist Em Stoy (Oligarch, Thrall) going by the moniker Fryktelig Stoy (‘Horrible Noise’) and her debut solo album Disappointment. I wasn’t prepared to get kicked in the teeth as well as have my heart ripped out. That kind of action is typically related to all of my relationships.

Anyway, what we have here is some lo-fi influenced, yet somehow not practiced, black metal. Many styles are on display within the black metal spectrum, but black metal you’ll feel deep in your soul if you give it a proper listen. With that being said, if all you want here is Satan, devil worshipping, etc., you will be disappointed.

Take for example the first track, “Philomela.” Some isolated guitar playing begins it with some light drums in the background and whispered vocals, reminiscent of modern Behemoth. This happens for most of the runtime until the vocals get harsh for the latter minute, ensuring it sets the tone basically as an intro to the next track, “Hope.”

Taking nothing from the impact of the first few tracks, the best song in my opinion (and therefore yours) is track 4, “Judith.” Although these songs are based on historical female characters and their perspective, this one, in particular, feels personal. If you’re a dude (or lady) who is not about embracing real-world feelings in their metal, I’d recommend jumping off this train. I never thought one of the catchiest songs of the year so far would include the lyrics “I would give it all back for one more moment in his arms, to feel the warmth of his chest against my cheek.”

The longest track, near the end, is Bé Chuma,” which has similar aesthetics to the rest, leaning towards the post-metal side of things, but the steady drums give it an early primitive black metal sound, with tremolos intact, making the longest track actually seem the shortest.

At the very end is a closing track, which serves sort of the same purpose as the first. That’s not meant to sound bad as it wraps up perhaps the biggest surprise album I will hear all year. When someone says or writes the description “one person black metal,” I go in with the expectation that it will sound like it was recorded underwater. This does not. It ticks all the right boxes of being subtle, lo-fi (although not even close to being inaudible), short, and impactful. Include the emotional layer, as well as palpable passion, and here’s an album that should be in reach of everyone. I know she is looking for label support, and I would be enthralled to see her have it, as well as a CD in my hands.

[Visit the band's website]

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