Oakland-based death/black metal duo Mefitis were formed by Pendath (drums, guitars, bass) and Vatha (vocals, guitars, bass) all the way back in 2007, but it took until 2019 for them to release their first album, ‘Emberdawn’, returning two years later with ‘Offscourings’. The reason for the somewhat unusual title is that this was recorded in two separate sessions, with the first four tracks being the oldest, so this could be almost thought of as two different EPs being presented together as opposed to a complete album.
I have been reading some very positive reviews about this release, but to be honest I just don’t get it. There are indeed times when this is grandiose and massively over the top with powerful sounds which makes one think this was recorded by a full band in a top studio as opposed to two guys working on analogue equipment in piecemeal fashion, but there are also too many times when I cannot believe the intent, as it comes across as if the band are just playing at this, presenting an image of something they do not really believe themselves. Also, while I know this is a studio only project, any metal band who cannot decide how to finish a song and instead fade out (“In Halfsight, the Dustplanes”) should be dealt with quite harshly. There are layers and ideas which have not been fully developed, nuances which could have been so much more which results is an album which is not fully formed. Perhaps the recording process had something to do with it. But ‘Scum’ is still one of the finest debut albums ever even though only the drummer is the same on both sides of the record. There are a lot of fans out there for this black metal outfit, it is just that I am not one of them.
Rating: 6/10
Links:
https://www.facebook.com/MefitisRising/
https://profoundlorerecords.com/