The one man black metal project I Shalt Become released their debut album back in 1998. For a decade there was silence, but in 2008 S. Holliman returns with a new I Shalt Become release.
Requiem is a dark and atmsopheric album with a lot of Burzum influences. The majority of the album is a majestic and dissonant effort, with a thick layer of instruments growing into a cacophony of noise and fury. Conversely, there are many mellow and atmospheric sections that float along on a cushion of keyboards.
The vocals are buried deep in the mix. You'll hear some screams, groans and yells, but it's used to accent and reinforce the music, not as a primary focus. The emotional impact of black metal can leave one feeling unsettled, and there's some of that here, but Requiem actually has some relaxing moments, which makes it somewhat out of the ordinary for the genre.
(released May 6, 2008 on Moribund Records)
