We’re thrashing a dead horse here, but the world surrounding us is not a welcoming and healthy place, and there’s no trajectory in a few years that makes this look any better. Lies, deceit, mismanaged power, corruption, racism, sexism, hatred, xenophobia, you name it make up social conversations and public policy, and it gets more difficult to live through this every second of the day.

“From the Wound Spilled Forth Fire” is a noble effort to try to break free from this hell and find a semblance of peace and catharsis within oneself. Nixil do that with furnace-furious black metal that, unlike a large swath of artists in the subgenre, stands in defiance of fascism and isn’t afraid to attack it with poison. The band—vocalist CC, guitarist/backing vocalist Alden, guitarist Shane, bassist/backing vocalist Aurora, drummer Key—spreads the vitriol over six harrowing, corrosive tracks that aim to engulf the power structure in unforgiving, certain flames. This is a record full of rebellion anthems, and anyone who finds themselves in Nixil’s path would do well to stay away from this cauldron of chaos.

“Collapsing the Poles” opens ominously, with darkness spreading and shrieks gnawing into flesh, your ears ringing and making your balance a challenge. “The flame is within us,” CC howls with scathing intent, the guitars snarling and smoking, utter destruction spreading generously over the land. “In Thrall” crumbles sonically, and then the knives come out, punishing with utter blackness, twisting nerve endings as the growls lay waste. Searching leads add a more introspective element, but moments later they’re splattering you all over again, spinning tires over your neck as the destruction hits its highest point. Total devastation follows as a black metal assault is mounted, finally angling out into noise. “A Door Never Closed” liquifies and lets in dark secrets, the guitars slice, and the walls begin to melt, causing blood to trickle and pool. Howls echo as the feeling turns more portentous, hypnotizing melodies backing the ferocious pace, unsettling calls burning into your flesh as the final scalding moments torch wills.

The title track opens with grimacing guitars, dark rumbling, and a tempo that continually gets more dangerous. There are tempered moments, but that doesn’t last long as ugly howls slather, and spindly guitars make things feel mystical. The heat increases out of that, and then sounds warp and disappear into a fog. “Abyss Unto Abyss” erupts, taking its pound of flesh early, racing and mashing as the temperatures increase. Melodic guitars work laces with growls and strange speaking, the twisted path getting more intense as the track goes on, every element zipping and thrashing over the final minute. Closer “The Way Is the Grave” starts with a tribal-style spirit, weird vocals warbling, and then growls crushing as the humidity climbs. Shadowy and spellbinding, the growls slither through filth, psyche-heavy guitars glaze like a mind-altering syrup, and your cells are left tingling as the final shrieks crush and help usher in a retching ending.

Surviving the cesspool of a world in which we all tread takes determination, guts, and the refusal to accept that this is a normal way to live. Nixil torch any idea of existing with this system on “From the Wound Spilled Forth Fire,” and the takeaway is the will to treat the source of oppression with flames and no servings of mercy. This record stands as a defiant battle effort to prevent those who wish to exercise their harmful will on others from enjoying any power and ever living peacefully.  

For more on the band, go here: https://www.facebook.com/nixilnothing

To buy the album, go here: https://shop.prostheticrecords.com/

For more on the label, go here: https://www.prostheticrecords.com/