Antigen Shift

“The Way of the North”
Label: Ad Noiseam
Official Website
(5/5)

There is a particular genius that exists in the mastery of subtlety. While valid art can most certainly exist outside the realm of subtlety, there is something particularly appealing about art that accomplishes the same effect with a minimal approach, where only those components that are vital to the composition are included and each component is finely balanced. One needs only to look at a basic Eames institutional furniture piece or the modern Apple product line (which are based on 1970′s Braun product industrial design) to see examples of such quality in subtlety.I find Antigen Shift’s latest album, “The Way of the North” to be a perfect musical example of this. Intensely minimal, but deeply moving, “The Way of the North” is a veritable Tour de Force. Employing down-temp IDM-style rhythmic structures and a cold minimal style slightly reminiscent of Black Lung or Newt, the album can be a truly immersive experience if one allows oneself the time and lack of distractions to listen to it with intense focus. What really distinguishes this album are the subtle touches that set it apart from true minimalism. A touch of bold synth melody in just the right place or a powerful drum sequence at the right time demonstrate a real compositional mastery, allowing the overall coldness of the theme to pervade, but introducing enough warmth to facilitate a real emotional connection with the listener.

There has been much said about the MP3, with the ready availability of single song downloads, bringing the death of the album as an art piece. “The Way of the North” defies this assertion. While some songs in particular do stand out, such as “Black Ocean Burial” and “Fimbul Winter” the album as a whole demands a start to finish listen.

Review by:
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