24th September 2023

Review: “Phthisis” by Nganga

Originally a studio project formed as a duo by vocalist and bassist Eyn alongside drummer Jordan King, before bringing on board guitarist Charles Meyer to handle lead melodies for their 2022 demo “De Muerte“, Raleigh North Carolina Black Metal collective Nganga had no idea at the time that their formula would give them the opportunities it has. You see, that demo was so well received that it landed on the “Best Of 2022” list from Invisible Oranges, an accolade that has since allowed them to add Noctomb guitarist Nate Stokes to their ranks. Suddenly the bands debut album “Phthisis” (another word for tuberculosis) becomes a highly anticipated record and having been mastered by Colin Marston (Atheist, Imperial Triumphant, Krallice) after recording and mixing sessions with Colin Swanson-White, the expectation has reached fever pitch.

Don’t be fooled by the credits that Colin Swanson-White and Marston have received for “Phthisis” into thinking that Nganga are offering up a virgin sacrifice that is in any way, shape or form polished with second wave of Black Metal appeal. No, this record has a deceptively old school sound to it with Scandinavian roots and fierce, raw and fiery quality while playing on the cultivation of a variety of emotions and atmospheric textures. Opening cut “Absent Light” flies out of Hell’s gate with a bleak lyrical narrative and restless and relentless blast beats, the screeching, caustic and emotional uncleans giving those lyrics a new perception in depth. The shriller vocals curtail to be replaced by deeper, darker demonics as a solo adds a surprising dose of vibrancy to close the curtain on something devilishly delicious. The sinister melodic introduction of “Wound” plays with fear as it lingers repeating the patterns before the anticipated explosion into supercharged Black Metal surfaces. That tests the sanity of all those in Arkham Asylum, Eyn sounding almost feral by the time his vocals come into play. Seemingly intertwined with some from Stokes on a second vocal layer which give it plenty of bark and bite, the track is another one of pure bile spitting fury with guitar work that the edge of the seat was made for.

Curiously, “Vacuous Dream” sounds like Nganga putting their own spin on a Harakiri for the Sky track with Post-Black Metal vibes going as far as bordering on Post-Hardcore in places. The rich melodic lead seems completely at odds with the swirling powerhouse percussion artillery shelling mayhem and larynx threatening vocals but somehow it all finds its natural place, the chaos moulded carefully to avoid a train wreck in masterful fashion. Those theatrics continue into “Lunar Chains” by which point Eyn is sounding unhinged, the dual guitar harmonies breaking the uncompromising hellscape. Reflecting the consequences of humanity going against nature, there are moments that threaten to disappear down the rabbit hole of absolute bedlam but such deviances are skilfully avoided. Instead the raging monster is calmed by the white noise as everything fades to black before “Steams” reaps the whirlwind once more. A play on light and shade, this one has some rich melody around the spellbinding extended solos which it has to be said adds a touch of majesty to before the record closes on an ethereal moment of reflection… Nganga have somehow defied the odds and built an Altar to Madness on the foundation of gold and bones they created with their demo [8/10]

Track Listing