Review: Within Thy Wounds – Forest of Iniquity
From the Vault
Within Thy Wounds – Forest of Iniquity
Self-released, 2020.
When it comes to black metal, I am unashamedly one of those guys who loves a “less is
more” approach. I love the phantom notes heard in endlessly repeating chord progressions and
washes of noise, as its proof that you don’t need to add endless synths and artificial sonic
constructions to conjure up atmosphere. Oftentimes with black metal, you will hear about the
concept of a certain “feeling” being present in the music; if that feeling isn’t there, it’s just not
black metal. Trust me when I say that that feeling is very, very present on Within Thy Wounds’
classic EP, Forest of Iniquity.
While the Christian black metal world has often provided a response to, or take on,
various subgenres of black metal itself, it’s extremely hard to find any that have been up to the
challenge of shining a light into the darkness when it comes to the style of what is called
depressive black metal. This particular style’s emphasis on the misanthropic core of much of
early secular black metal is decidedly a horrifying thing to behold, as it strips away any of black
metal’s theatrical elements and focuses in hard on the nihilistic themes at its heart. Its emphasis
on hopelessness, nihilism, and despair, by its very nature, should inspire Christians who play
this kind of music to respond with a message of hope, but in a language that fans of this style
can understand.
Enter Within Thy Wounds. Though I would argue that it was Bedeiah that pioneered the
unblack take on this subgenre with works like Loving Conviction and Blood Metal, it seems that
the ultra lo-fi nature of those recordings ensured that these records would remain music that
only a few would ever find or listen to (that’s not to say they’re not good, they’re just very
demanding listens). These were hard records, steeped in impenetrable murk, that dealt head-on
with some very dark themes. Now, Within Thy Wounds is not the first Christian act to attempt a
more depressive black metal sound, but in my mind, this artist has quite possibly perfected it.
This is RAW, make no mistake. If you’ve heard Xasthur’s early material (think The Funeral of
Being) and found it to be too raw for you, stay very clear of this. Vocals here are tortured howls,
the guitars ebb and flow like the constant blowing winds of a blizzard with the howling vocals
driving them on with resolute purpose, and yet somehow in the midst of all the sonic torment,
there is a tremendous sense of beauty. “The Throne Abandoned” boasts such a stark contrast,
shifting from abysmal rivers of beautiful noise to fragile and evocative clean guitar that is nearly
tear-jerking in its effect on the listener. This is phenomenal, atmospheric black metal, music of
sheer tragic beauty that channels the agony of despair and loss but reminds the listener that
there is indeed, hope in all the darkness. The flowing, icy storms are calmed periodically by
more ambient-like synth work on occasion (see “Fount of All Holiness” and the gorgeous closer
“Gen. 4:7”). Truly, Within Thy Wounds’ anonymous single member walks a ridiculously thin tight
rope over the abyss with this one. How does one sonically gaze into this abyss without falling
into it?
Well, take a listen and see. The chords themselves, as dark as they may sound, seem
designed for introspection, for self-reflection, and ultimately, I feel, to push the listener to re-
orient themselves to their source in God. It is a grounding record, one that reminds the listener
that death is inevitable, but that God is bigger, and has conquered it. Those who skip over
bands like this because of the member’s Christian beliefs are doing themselves a massive
disservice. This is as cold as it gets, but with a fire inside its core.
For Fans Of: Xasthur, Leviathan, Paysage d’Hiver, Bedeiah, Woe Bather, None , Fathomage
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