Filthy Music Review - 'I Exist: From Darkness'

I Exist – From Darkness (2013)

Prosthetic Records

Review by Jude Felton

It’s not always easy for bands to blend different styles and sub-genres into their music. It’s even harder within the same album, as it often results in a mess of sounds that lack cohesion and flow. So, it was with a little trepidation that I approached the third album from Canberra’s I Exist. I needn’t have worried though, as this platter of grimness ticks all the positive boxes and leaves very little space for negatives.

To boil it down in easily digestible pieces, From Darkness takes little bites from doom, hardcore and a taster of sludge throws it in the oven and waits for the delicious end product.

Lightning Curse kicks things off in a furious manner, all fists and feet, and you might be thinking that you’re in for a full-on hardcore/thrash assault. However, by the time you hit the groove of track 3, Sorrow on Hill 105, you know that these Aussies aren’t afraid to mix things up. This is very much the course of the entire album; raising the tempo and then bringing it crashing back down.

Due to this, the album never gets the chance to feel stale or repetitive; in fact it’s slightly akin to pounding 4 cups of coffee, then crashing, only to pound another half-dozen cups. From Darkness will definitely keep you on your toes, as you’re never quite sure what is coming next.

The album contains 13 songs, ranging from just over a minute, right up to the 11 minute title track, and I have to say there’s rarely a weak point. There’s just the right balance of accessibility and depth, meaning it’ll grab you on a first listen, but it’ll also further unravel its malevolence on subsequent listens.

I Exist has delivered a bruising beaut(y) of an album that surprised the Hell out of me. Worth your time? Damn right it is.

Tracklist:

1. Lightning Curse

2. Heal Me in Smoke

3. Sorrow on Hill 105

4. Rituals

5. In My Head

6. Bloodlust

7. Eternal Reign

8. Obsession

9. Tear Down the Crucifix

10. Ride to Hell

11. Cold World Vermin

12. From Darkness

13. Fool for Death

From Darkness is released on December 3rd by Prosthetic Records.