Exercises in Futility
Exercises in Futility shows how powerful repetition can be when the details keep moving. Mgła build their black metal from clear guitar patterns, harsh vocals and drums which do much more than mark the pace. The riffs are memorable, but gain a different emphasis through the activity around them.
Exercises in Futility I sets the tone with a build which gradually increases its force. The guitars do not need to replace their foundations constantly to reach a different intensity. The rough voice stays close to them. It is direct music which never reveals all its possibilities immediately.
Exercises in Futility II makes the movement between a heavier middle pace and faster sections particularly convincing. A guitar melody holds the parts together. The drums give the transition direction through careful attention to the cymbals. Rhythm becomes an important part of the melodic movement rather than simply a background.
This is clearer still in Exercises in Futility V. Slower passages have a firm groove, making the acceleration feel like a genuine increase in force. Individual drums and cymbals remain recognisable within the dense sound. The playing is precise and detailed without taking attention away from the song.
The record deliberately stays within a limited stylistic area. The voice changes little in character and all six pieces use related elements. Anyone mainly searching for major surprises will have to adjust. Mgła make that consistency productive, however. The riffs have enough personality and small rhythmic changes keep giving them a different effect. Exercises in Futility is a convincing demonstration of choosing what a song needs. Its impact comes from the relationship between a few strong elements, handled with considerable care.
