Age of Excuse
Age of Excuse remains recognisably Mgła: melodic guitars move above precise drums and a harsh voice which never eases the tension. The band choose no new direction, but carefully develop their established approach. The relationship between guitar and rhythm gives the six songs their character.
In Age of Excuse I, lower riffs give way to more open melodic guitar work. The contrast creates space without abandoning the cold sound. Drums remain active and hold the changes together. Variety develops within a style which can initially seem tightly closed.
The record works well as a whole, but individual songs also provide enough clear ideas to follow. Riffs remain memorable and the voice makes their movement more aggressive. The drumming stands out through detail in the cymbals alongside the more immediate force of faster passages. This gives the music more layers than heaviness and speed alone.
Age of Excuse V begins with a spoken passage before growing into a firmer song at a middle pace. The band later increase the speed, then redistribute the pressure towards the ending. The long Age of Excuse VI closes convincingly with a simple guitar line which develops further. Lower, slower riffs meet higher melodies, allowing the separate parts to strengthen one another.
That familiar method is also the album's boundary. Listeners who know the previous records receive further refinement and few major surprises. The performance largely answers that reservation. Drums and guitars keep responding sharply to each other, and memorable melodies give the longer structures direction. Age of Excuse is an excellent choice for anyone seeking black metal which stays dark and fierce while allowing its details to remain clearly audible.
